Cuts threaten to close libraries

It was announced Aug. 5 that Camden, N.J., that state’s most impoverished city, will close all its public libraries by the end of 2010 due to a projected budget shortfall of $28 million. The shortfall stems from reductions in state aid and lack of taxable property, according to Mayor Dana L. Redd.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie filed an $11 billion budget deficit this year, resulting in cuts to cities, schools and libraries. Christie is reducing state funding for libraries by $6 million, a 43 percent drop.

American Library Association officials believe that Camden might be the first U.S. city to close all its libraries. The only other complete elimination of library services is in the Hood River County Library in Oregon where a vote is scheduled this fall to restore services.

The projected closing of the 105-year-old library system would eliminate 21 jobs and could result in the potential destruction of thousands of books, historic documents and artifacts.

The biggest loss, however, would be to Camden’s 80,000 residents, mostly poor, Black, Latino/a, Asian and white. As of June the official unemployment rate for Camden was 16.3 percent. The median household income was $18,000, and less than 23 percent of the population has education beyond high school. Less than one-third of Camden residents have high-speed Internet access at home. Only one bookstore serves the local college, and some public schools lack librarians.

The Camden Free Public Library system provides a valuable service to residents and draws 150,000 visits a year. Libraries allow people to go on-line and do research for schoolwork and jobs. They also provide a shelter for people who are homeless.

“Of all places, [Camden is] one of the places that needs free public libraries the most,” said Audra Caplan, president of the Public Library Association. (Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug. 6)

The threatened closing of Camden libraries comes on top of votes against additional funding for public schools that rocked New Jersey in April. Fueled by Tea Party-type, right-wing campaigns, several cities in the state voted to cut or not increase funding for public education — an outright attack against teachers, benefits for public employees and the communities they serve.

While local media attribute the problem to “lack of money,” Christie and other capitalist politicians would rather cut services and social programs than raise taxes on the profits of their rich cronies. The idea that schools and libraries are expendable represents an escalation in the capitalists’ class war against the poor.

Government bailouts of banks and corporations are on the rise, and funding for wars also continues to increase. For Camden residents, the cost of the war in Afghanistan since 2001 amounted to $81.4 million per year. (nationalpriorities.org)

During this crisis libraries are more essential than ever. The question is how residents of Camden will respond. Because voters on Nov. 4, 1903, voted to establish a library in Camden, another vote might be required to disband the library.

The proposed closing of the libraries will be introduced at the Camden City Council on Aug. 10. It is likely that residents will come out to oppose the closings.

In neighboring Philadelphia a threat to close 11 public libraries in the fall of 2009 led to widespread demonstrations and an eventual lawsuit that stopped the threatened closings. There are growing signs that residents of Camden will wage a similar campaign against the threat to their libraries.