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Ottawa’s Outrage May Save 10 BranchesThe board of Ottawa (Ont.) Public Library reversed course November 26, opting not to support a plan trustees floated just a few weeks earlier to close 10 branches, cut hours from the remaining branches, and freeze the collection budget to meet a proposed $3.2-million budget cut. The board had originally proposed the plan to meet the library’s share of $152 million in citywide cuts proposed by Mayor Larry O’Brien to keep his campaign pledge of freezing property taxes for four years, the Ottawa Business Journal reported November 15. After consideration, however, the board rejected the plan unanimously, basing their conclusion in part on a May survey commissioned by the city that found 63% of residents opposed any cuts in library services, the Ottawa Sun reported November 27. City Librarian Barbara Clubb told American Libraries that the budget will ultimately be decided in city council debates December 10–17. “Because there’s been so much controversy and anguish, the mayor has said the city isn’t going to cut front-line services,” including the libraries, Clubb said. Clubb added that the board tentatively agreed to nearly $2 million in cuts. Under this plan, the library would save $1 million by lengthening the building process for a new branch and opening it in 2011 instead of 2010, and save $860,000 over three years through a citywide productivity enhancement program. Posted November 30, 2007. |
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