EVENT: Community Conversation On Safeguarding The Library
On Saturday, May 30, at 3 p.m., the Elmwood Park Advocate will hold a “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library on the importance of the library to the village.
Libraries are broadly recognized as essential spaces that function as pillars of our democracy.
We invite residents to share what the library means to them, which programs they like to attend, what resources and services are valuable, and how often they visit the library. The conversation will also focus on preventing unnecessary cuts to resources, services, and hours of operation. (You can RSVP here.)
Numerous libraries throughout the United States face increased threats that include book bans, censorship, cash flow problems, and losses of funding that result in impacts to working people.
The present political administration in Washington, D.C., pushed to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which put library services for millions at risk. But in April, just before National Library Week, a settlement was reached with the Justice Department that saved funding for libraries.
Fortunately, the library is not experiencing any major financial crisis. The attack on federal library funding did not substantially affect the library. But the Elmwood Park library does have a temporary cash flow problem as a result of Cook County property tax distribution delays.
What do you think of the risks that our library faces? Do you have any questions or concerns about how the library operates? And what should we as residents do to preserve the library for current and future generations?
We will have coffee and bakery treats. Invite your family, friends, or neighbors, and we will see you at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
*Note: The Elmwood Park Public Library has permitted resident-led groups to use meeting spaces as a community service. The Library neither sponsors nor endorses this event, the speaker(s), or the organization.