Open All the San Josй Libraries NOW!

This year, new libraries remain unopened and others are threatened with closure. These facilities are vital parts of our communities used for finding jobs, education and recreation. Our communities are negatively impacted as these facilities remain unopened or are closed.

More than ten years ago, San Josй voters approved bonds to construct libraries for residents use. Community leaders and city staff worked diligently to find suitable affordable locations and painstakingly labored to create facilities that would benefit to their communities. As of December 15, 2010, the Bascom Library and Community Center was substantially completed and ready for use. Today, it stands as a beacon of potential for a community hungry for its services. A beacon whose doors remain locked.

Across San Josй, other newly built community facilities are not being opened. Other community centers are threatened to be closed. Library hours may be reduced to three-days-a-week and city services that provide a better quality of life are being completely eliminated. The Mayor recently said that he wants the new facilities opened WITHIN FIVE YEARS. All of this is not acceptable.

We the undersigned, request that:

1. Everything must be equitable across the entire library system. All 22 San Josй Branch Libraries must be opened now including the recently completed Bascom Library Community Center.

2. We request that the Bascom Community Center be opened. In the event the city chooses to outsource the operation of the community center, the community should be involved in the selection and operation process to ensure the center serves all members of the community.

3. To comply with the intent of revenue generation on this site, the City along with community representatives should initiate immediate action to select a business to operate the Cafй section of the facility.

4. The City Manager, Mayor and City Council Members act in accordance with these library & community center priorities that are the vital to the residents of San Josй.