PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Supporters of the Free Library of Philadelphia are pushing for city funding amid ongoing budget negotiations, believing the benefits will extend far beyond library walls.
Yvette Hill Robinson with the Friends of the Free Library said $15 million in city funding would help staff the city’s library branches and keep programs going. She maintains this investment would help keep the city safer.
“Intervention can happen without you sitting in front of a psychologist," she said. "The atmosphere that you’re in can kind of cool things down a little bit.“
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“In a city like Philadelphia, the library is one of the few places where you can go inside and not be expected to pay money or buy anything," said Flan Park, a former after-school library leader.
Jan LeSeur of the Chestnut Hill branch contended they need money to invest back into the upkeep of buildings like hers.
“There are leaks in the children’s section. Tiles fall from the ceiling in our meeting room. The HVAC is off and on," said LeSeur.
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Linda Calwell-Smith with Friends of the Free Library said they are asking Mayor Jim Kenney to reinstate pre-pandemic funding to the library system.
“Give us our money so we can open to the community as well," she said.
"You know, we want to recover, too.“