The Zombie Libraries at the Briggs and Skelton Branches are due to open on Monday afternoon. I intend to speak at Tuesday’s Council Meeting in opposition, not to the idea of re-opening the Branch Libraries, but the totally illegal way this has been done by the Mack Administration.
I hereby announce “The Committee to Stop the Trenton Zombie Libraries,” which will exist to gather public support to oppose this. Please add your voice to this effort!
Today I consulted Legal Counsel and asked their opinion as to whether action could be filed now for an injunction against the openings. I was advised that until all the usual avenues for action – City Council, the Business Administrator, the City Law Department – have been tried and failed.
So, I’ve written the following petition, which can also be downloaded here. I will be outside the Main Library tomorrow at 9AM to collect signatures. I hope to offer to Council solid proof of public support at Tuesday’s session.
Come on down tomorrow to sign the petition! If you can’t make it, print out your own copy, sign it, circulate it, and send it to your City Council member.
April 27, 2012
WHEREAS, in the Fall of 2010, the four neighborhood Branches of the Trenton Free Public Library closed their doors and ceased operations as the result of budgetary problems in the City of Trenton that caused a reduction in financial support to the Library from the City: and
WHEREAS, the four Branches – Briggs, Cadwalader, East Trenton, and Skelton – were valued as invaluable irreplaceable assets in the cultural, educational and recreational life of all Trentonians, children and adults; and
WHEREAS, it has been since the Fall of 2010 the desire of the People of the City of Trenton to re-open these closed Branches under the use and control of the Trenton Free Public Library, as described and regulated under Chapter 40:54 of the Statutes of the State of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, the City of Trenton has announced that the Skelton and Briggs Library will re-open on April 30 as branches of entities called “The Mayor’s Learning Center Libraries;” and
WHEREAS, the City’s plans have been designed with no participation nor approvals from: the management and Trustees of the Free Public Library, Trenton City Council, the State Librarian, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, nor have any presentations or plans been made available to the People of the City of Trenton to establish the City’s reasons for bypassing and ignoring the authorized structures and laws governing Free Public Libraries in the State of New Jersey, nor have any expenditures on behalf of these Libraries been authorized by City Council as required by law; and
WHEREAS, it is not known by the Public or City Council who will be staffing the Branches during their hours of operation, their qualifications, background, experience, or salaries; and
WHEREAS, the City of Trenton has publicly called for Volunteers to work in these Branches, without describing the duties of Volunteers, or whether such Volunteers will be subject to Background Checks and/or Drug Testing before being placed in proximity with the Children of the City of Trenton; and
WHEREAS, the existing collection of materials in these branches – books, furniture, computer equipment, etc. – that have remained in the buildings since their closure remain the property of the Trenton Free Public Library, and no authorization has been sought or granted by the Trustees for their use;
THEREFORE, the Undersigned Citizens of the City of Trenton and friends of the Trenton Free Public Library declare the “Mayor’s Learning Center Libraries” to be illicit, illegitimate and bogus “Zombie Libraries.” We call on an immediate halt to all plans and actions on behalf of these “Learning Center Libraries” unless and until all procedures and processes have been followed as required by the laws of the City of Trenton and the State of New Jersey.
FURTHER, the Undersigned declare their support for the re-opening of the Branches under the Use and Control of the Trenton Free Public Library as early as can be feasibly possible.
SIGNED, April 27, 2012
Name _____________________
Address _____________________
City, State _____________________
what is a zombie library?
Sorry, I just read your previous post and I am up to speed. Tricky issue I admire that they are cutting through red tape, but I can see why you might have your reservations. All I am sure of is if they opened a real Zombie library that was all about Zombies and Zombie literature I would go.
I received a robo call fri.apox. 7:30pm from the “emerency phone system” (EPS) regarding the skelton library. the mayor will be there at 3pm Monday. and that he was looking for volunteers to man the library.
is this the appropriate use of the EPS? previously i would receive calls for not putting trash out on XMAS and other holidays.
I am reluctant to just hang up because once EPS called regarding a missing child and i went out walk around the block looking for said child,no result, so actual emergencies do happen.
wolf its the wolf
peace
ed
We all know that this is a ploy between you and Kim Matthews. Enough political theater. What’s important is that the branches reopen for the communities.Since you’re are designated to be her man-servant get the facts correct. The learning centers are bringing back employees that were unjustly laidoff by this creature.This woman doesn’t care anything about the libraries. Her concern and her only concern is her heftly paycheck that she collects evey other Thursday.If she was so concerned about the branches why did she give the keys back to the city, during the layoff.
Every former employee that was laid off stipulated that if she has anything to do with the reopening they’ll not be involved.
No one wants to work with this woman.The foundation that received the grant will not turn over a dime to her, to run the locations. She receives an annual salary of 100k for doing what? NOTHING. Why do you need a Director for 1 location, with 25 employees and a Branch Mgr for the same location. This is unheard of. What the mayor should do firstly is get rid of that sorry Board of Trustees. Then cut her salary, get rid of the Branch Mgr who resides in Chesterfield, NJ.
It’s not Where in the World is Waldo, it’s where in the world is a competent LIBRARY DIRECTOR.
ISU, who are you? We can’t take anonymous comment seriously in this town. You’ve never heard Kevin do that. I don’t either.
Anonymous names like “ISU” are reserved for those of questionable integrity whose very reputation damages the strentgh of their argument.
The weakness of your argument and inability to address the fundamental issues at hand suggest that your reputation as a thoughtful activist is pretty poor.
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