FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2020
(Print Press Release)
SAN DIEGO- Today, the Council heard an informational presentation of the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2022 Proposed Library Budget. Councilmember Vivian Moreno has issued the following statement:
“Our libraries play an essential role in providing safe, accessible, and 100% free educational resource centers for every member in our communities. At a library, it doesn’t matter how much money you make, because every resource there is free of charge, including books, internet access, and educational and professional training programs. Individuals and families, no matter their socioeconomic status, can count on their libraries to provide them with the resources they need to succeed and the answers to important questions they can’t otherwise find.
Our libraries are one of the only places that many residents and students in District 8 are able to access the internet and have a safe place to study. The digital divide exists in my district and replacing hours the library is open with digital services is unacceptable. At a time when many assistance programs are only available online, I want to make sure all residents and students have equal access to their local branch library 7 days a week.
For these reasons, I cannot support a budget that requests deep cuts to our vital Library Department. I hope we can preserve our essential library services with changes to the proposed budget that Mayor has said he will bring forward.”
The FY22 Proposed Budget can be found here.
