PushbackAgainst Proposed Cuts in NJ and FL, Planned Closures in Charlotte Area
Citizens must raise $2 million fast to keep library doors open in Mecklenburg County
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 03/19/2010
Major planned cuts in state funding for libraries in New Jersey and Florida, and a closure of half the branches in 
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, NC, are being met with spirited resistance.
After the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County approved a plan to lay off 148 employees and close 12 library branches, Friends of the Library Chair Harriet Smith challenged the community to raise the $2 million dollars, or at least a significant amount, to stave off layoffs and closings. A donation link is on the library's home page. (Update: a meeting will be held March 24 to reconsider the closures.)
In New Jersey, the New Jersey Library Association has posted a Critical Legislative Alert, and the I Love NJ Libraries site set up by NJLA and Friends groups now links to a Save NJ Libraries Facebook page.
The Florida Library Association has set up an advocacy page, and supporters established a Save Our Libraries/Save State Aid to Libraries blog.
