PRESS RELEASES
"CITIZENS TO SAVE THE LIBRARY" GROUP HOLDS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF B&ECPL - Nov. 23rd
November 19, 2004 - Buffalo , NY - The Citizens to Save the Library group is holding a rally in support of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) on Tuesday, November 23rd at 5 pm on the Central Library's Washington Street ramp. All community members are invited to attend. Participants will then walk over together to Erie Community College for the Erie County Legislature's public hearing, which begins at 6 pm .
Erie County 's proposed “Red Budget” cuts support to the B&ECPL by $19.3 million. County property tax funding would plummet from $24.2 million in 2004 to $4.9 million in 2005. The reduction of these local funds would trigger the loss of an additional $2.8 million in New York State Library Aid. The Library's 2005 operating budget would be cut by 79%. Cuts of this magnitude would close all 52 libraries after January 1, 2005 .
Citizens to Save the Libraries (CSL) was founded in 1976 by Amherst residents Ellen Woodrich and Beatrice “Bee” Elyé . CSL has been vigilant and persistent in its support of the Library, especially in times of crisis.
For more information, call 858-8900 or visit www.buffalolib.org.