AgdaPkt 2003-07-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pat Benner stated she had been in jail many times to train inmates to be tutors. She stated that if the library is cut you effect Project Read. She stated that Project Read is an award winning program that teaches kids and adults how to read as well as jail inmates. She stated that if reductions are made at the library it effects the one resource that supplies the community a place where people learn to read and write better. She summarized by saying that the library makes taxpayers. Kathy Endaya clarified that 42 % -48% of the library budget is provided by the City for library services. She clarified that if cuts are higher than 7% the branch will lay people off, cut evening hours and that will have the drastic impact. Joan Martell stated that she has had the pleasure of serving on the literacy board since 1992. She stated that Project Read and the library itself brings hope and successes to the community members and they become taxpayers, because if the youth stay in school they get jobs and become taxpayers. She ended by saying that we are only as strong as the least of us in our community. Jeanne Gross, works at Canada College and lives in Redwood City. She stated that we have a fine library and Project Read. She stated that Project Read staff came to Canada College and asked that the tutor training be considered for qualified college credit. That program is now in place and speaks of the quality of the tutors. The students at Canada College also rely on the library being open. Billy James stated he is a 10 -year resident, patron and current Library Board member. He quoted Andrew Carnegie as to the importance of the libraries. Georgi LaBerge, on behalf of the library, stated the library is one of the outstanding institutions in Redwood City and encouraged no further cuts to that budget. She stated that a literate population is the hallmark of a great city. Some of the projects that would be affected are the teen homework center, the school readiness program. She asked no further cuts be made. Pat Taviss stated that a healthy public library system is vital and she urged sparing of the library in consideration of proposed cuts. She cited various achievements and urged the sparing of the community's library services in considering the budget cuts. Molly Sporie -AI Hader, speaking on behalf of Local 715, commended Council for prudence in setting aside reserves. She described the staff represented by Local 715 and asked that Department Heads confer with the staff members and utilize their expertise. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 14, 2003 MINUTES PAGE 11