NILES, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A growing number of residents in Niles feel their library is in jeopardy.
The Niles-Maine District Library faces significant cuts to its budget, staff, and services.
Four of the seven library trustees, three of whom were elected in April, proposed a 20 percent cut to the library’s operating fund, totalling about $1.5 million.
The new budget would include staffing cuts and reducing the library’s hours from the current 66 per week to 54 per week.
Residents voiced concern at a special board meeting on June 30, saying the cuts will only hurt their community. Still, the board approved the tentative budget in a 4-3 vote.
Residents have organized a rally Tuesday night starting at NICO Park where they’ll walk to the library for a public budget hearing.
An online petition was also launched last month.
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