Save Auburndale Branch Library

To:  Mayor Cohen, Director Perlow and Trustees

SAVE AUBURNDALE LIBRARY PETITION

May 2008

To Mayor David Cohen, Library Director Nancy Perlow, and the Board of Trustees of the Newton Free Library:

We, the undersigned Newton residents and supporters of the Auburndale Branch Library, request that you reconsider your decision to close the Auburndale Branch Library.

Auburndale is a modest village with few cultural amenities. The library, along with our neighborhood fountain, Turtle Lane Theater, and a collection of local businesses form the center of community life in the village of Auburndale. The Auburndale Branch Library is a singular cultural jewel in the village.

The library is a vibrant community resource for residents of all ages with a wide range of well-attended programs and rapidly growing circulation. Circulation at the library has increased substantially over the past three years and is the highest among all the branches. The branch librarian, Chris Wangler, has shown particular initiative with introduction of several programs catering to patrons of all generations. As the farthest branch from the main library, the Auburndale Branch Library provides access to the oldest and youngest residents of our community who might not otherwise frequent the main library. Because the library brings so much to the Auburndale community during its only 18 hours a week of operation, its closure would be a great loss to the village.

It is our understanding that the library is slated to be closed on Friday June 6. We believe this move to rapid closure is unnecessary as the required funds have already been allocated to keep the library open through June 30, 2008. In addition, rapid closure precludes residents from engaging in a dialogue to understand the alternatives that were considered prior to selecting the library for closure and to examine other potential alternatives to complete closure. Given the success of the Auburndale Branch Library and its vital role in our community, we request that you reverse your decision and keep the library open.

Thank you for your consideration of this very important matter.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save Auburndale Branch Library Petition to Mayor Cohen, Director Perlow and Trustees was created by Concerned Newton Residents and written by Dana Hanson, Bill Hoch, and Brian Burba (danakhanson@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.