Plan To Close Reading Public Library Branches May Be Reversed
New funding package would include city, federal, private sources
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 11/10/2009
The Reading Public Library, PA, may not have to close all three branches as announced. A groundswell of community concern and support has led to some new funding proposals, reported the Reading Eagle.While the city had proposed cutting its funding for the library ($450,000 as previously reported by LJ, $483,000 in the Eagle), now the city would pay $100,000 for utilities; Berks County Community Foundation and the library board would make unspecified contributions; and the United Way would direct federal stimulus money to the main library, allowing the library to reallocate funds to the branches.
"It's not a done deal; the details still have to be worked out," Mayor Tom McMahon told the newspaper.
