State Senator Eric D. Coleman
September 10, 2008
State Lawmakers Announce Funding for Hartford Libraries
State Rep. Kenneth P. Green (D-Hartford, Bloomfield), Sen. Eric Coleman (D-Hartford, Bloomfield, Windsor), and Speaker of the House Jim Amann announced today on the steps of Hartford Public Library a $200,000 state grant to reopen the Mark Twain and Blue Hills Avenue library branches.
“With the help of Speaker Jim Amann, Senator Eric Coleman and Senate President Pro Tem Don Williams I am extremely pleased that we are able to contribute $200,000 of state funding to the Hartford Public Library for the reopening of the Blue Hills and Mark Twain branches. This contribution will enable the Hartford Public Library to provide the necessary services to our communities and families,” Rep. Green said. “Because of the fiscal concerns expressed by the library board and the inability of the city administration to find a solution to the current crisis, Senator Coleman and I, along with members of the state legislative delegation, worked feverishly to find the resources.”
Earlier in the summer, the board of the Hartford Public Library ordered the closing of branches in the Asylum Hill and Blue Hills neighborhoods to partly close an $870,000 budget gap. After protests from Hartford residents, the city council voted to appropriate $200,000 to reopen the library branches, with the provision that they reopen by the first day of school, August 25th. Presently, the libraries are still closed.
“I want to thank Senate President Donald Williams for agreeing to direct this critical funding to our local libraries,” Sen. Coleman said. “Children in Hartford deserve libraries that are open and accessible and if we allow these branches to close, then we are failing our children. Open libraries translate into open minds and that’s what we want for our children.”
“An accessible and vibrant library system is an important part of a city's educational and cultural offerings to its residents,” Speaker Amann said. “To have our capital city suddenly lose two library branches, particularly at the start of a new school year, is a problem that needed quick action and Rep. Green and Sen. Coleman made a great case for the state to step in and help out.”
When the libraries reopen, library officials plan to reduce operating hours across the system and institute other cost cutting measures. At this time the goal is to have the libraries open at least six days a week while examining long term solutions for the needs of the Hartford Public Library.
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Senator Coleman’s |
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