Group urges delay in library closings

The city's top library advocate yesterday called on Mayor Nutter to delay his plans to close 11 branches so that she and others can seek money from private donors or foundations to avert the closings.

"We need time to gather the intelligence and financial resources that will generate a credible five-year business plan to save our library system," said Amy Dougherty, director of the Friends of the Free Library. "I ask Mayor Nutter to give us three to six months to develop a credible long-term solution."

Dougherty spoke outside the Haddington Library, at 65th Street and Girard Avenue, in West Philadelphia. Schoolchildren and parents flanked her on the steps of the steps of the stately brick building erected with funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Nutter has announced plans to close 11 of the 54 city libraries by year's end as part of an extensive cost-cutting effort to meet a $1 billion budget gap over the next five years. He said yesterday that he had not heard Dougherty's pitch but that he didn't plan to delay the library closures.

"At the moment, the announcement is the announcement. I have no expectation that it will change," Nutter said.

Dougherty wants to hold a summit with leaders from the private and public sectors to come up with a business plan for the libraries. She's inviting bigwigs to a Dec. 10 luncheon, dubbing the project "The Committee for Learning."

"I am confident that the business sector and foundation giants located in and around Philadelphia will help out," Dougherty said.

Also, Dougherty said her group was collecting $10 donations from Philadelphians who want to keep the libraries open. You can donate to the "$10 Challenge" at your library.

"Hundreds of people called and said: 'I will do anything to save the libraries,' " Dougherty said.

Library Director Siobhan Reardon, who was appointed in August, said she did not know about the Friends effort. But she said a delay wasn't in the cards.

"Our reductions are effective almost immediately," she said.

During a briefing of City Council members on the budget, Reardon said the plan is to buy three bookmobiles to provide additional service. She said they will cost $160,000 each and take eight months to build.

Unlike the city pools slated for closure, the city plans to keep the libraries closed even if the budget rebounds.

Camille Barnett said the city will consider other public uses for the buildings or sell them through the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.

Councilmen Bill Green and Curtis Jones attended the West Philadelphia news conference to voice their support for the libraries.

"Libraries are more important than basketball courts, and we should prioritize them accordingly," Jones said. *