There’s good news and there’s bad news regarding Seattle Public Libraries today.  Our news partner, The Seattle Times, is reporting that that the Seattle City Council budget committee restored $863,000, from a proposed $2.8 million cut, to the 2010 public libraries budget.  That means 11 library branches and the Central Library downtown will get to remain open 7 days a week.  However, the Fremont Public Library and 14 other branches did not dodge the bullet.  Those 15 libraries will go down to a 5-day-week schedule beginning in the new year. 

Currently the Fremont Library is open 50 hours a week for 6 days.  The new changes means it will only be open for 35 hours a week and 5 days.  The new hours will look like this:

Monday and Tuesday:  1-8pm (unchanged) 

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday:  11am-6pm (currently 10am-8pm W-Th, 10am-6pm Sat)

Friday and Sunday:  Closed

You can read more about the City Council’s latest decision here.

Correction: The public hearing at City Council Chambers is on Monday, October 26th at 5:30pm.

Members of Friends of Seattle Public Library will be petitioning outside the Fremont Library today from 1:00-2:30pm.  The group is trying to raise awareness to the proposed cuts to Seattle’s library system, which already saw a week-long furlough back in August to save money. 

Mayor Greg Nickels announced his proposed 2010 capital budget plan for the city last month.  In an effort to address a projected $72 million revenue shortfall, this includes a 37 percent cut to the Seattle Public Library budget from the 2009 budget.  The new cuts would mean reduced staff, resources and hours year round.  The Fremont Library and 20 other branches would also be closed on Fridays and Sundays. 

Friends of SPL Vice President Jennifer Johnson-Fong writes:

The proposed operations budget will impact all of our communities and neighbors who are relying on our libraries for computer access, job search resources, educational support, gathering spaces, programs and librarian assistance.

There are two upcoming public hearings to address the issue.  One is this Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30pm at the Northwest African American Museum (2300 S. Massachusetts St).  The next is on Monday, October 23, at 5:30pm at City Council Chambers (600 4th Ave).  RSVP to advocacy@friendsofspl.org if you can attend either meeting. 

More information can also be found on Friends of SPL’s blog.