Friends of the Free Library

@cecilyharwitt keep an eye on it!! City HR has to authorize all the hiring and tests and will probably throw in some other bureaucratic hurdles and tricks. We should see jobs announcements for civil service tests soon.

This 29% increase is the largest single-year increase the Free Library has seen in recent memory. Through the public pressure we built over the last 5 years, we pushed @PhillyMayor, @Darrell_Clarke & @phlcoucil to make libraries & public spaces a priority. #fundourlibrariesPHL

In the next several months, the Free Library will be hiring workers to fill approximately 292 long-empty positions necessary to provide consistent 5 day service and longer open-hours. #FundourLibrariesPHL

HUGE WIN! We won an unprecedented @FreeLibrary $13 million one-year budget increase. Congratulations to the community members and Library workers who organized tirelessly through this budget season. #fundourlibrariesPHL

I blogged about my audiobook experience with My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes. I might also have told the @FreeLibrary board of directors that I stand with the the staff and @FreeLibFriends: ADD MORE HOURS! OPEN ON THE WEEKENDS! jeanspraker.com/2022/06/26/aud…

Check out this video from our rally! The city budget is still being negotiated. We call on @Darrell_Clarke and all city council to fully fund the library and parks & rec! Thanks to @HelenGymAtLarge for standing with us! #FundOurLibrariesPHL #RecItPhilly youtube.com/watch?v=wOl-ED…

Our virtual Summer of Wonder has begun and our in-person program starts next week! Are you ready for tons of summer learning and reading fun?!? libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/post/4896

That picture on the left is from my former rec center McVeigh! Demand an 8 million budget increase from City Council! We deserve a fully funded Parks and Rec department as well as Libraries!

We call on all city council, including council pres @Darrell_Clarke, to increase funding for libraries and parks & rec, to give people of all ages safe & engaging places to learn, play, & spend time. Public spaces are essential to ending gun violence! #FundOurLibrariesPHL

We are proud to partner with city workers, community members, union leaders, the @PHParksAlliance, @HelenGymAtLarge, & everyone who came out to fight for fully funded & staffed libraries, parks, rec centers, and all our vital public spaces! #FundOurLibrariesPHL #RecItPhilly

Here are some photos from our rally yesterday! #FundOurLibrariesPHL

Check out this video coverage of our rally for public spaces yesterday! #FundOurLibrariesPHL #RecItPhilly fox29.com/video/1077163

@newskag It’s simple- we need more staff at the library branches, as well as the Building department- across the board! Kids - everyone, really- need our libraries and rec centers to be open fully and consistently! Hopefully @PHParksAlliance @FreeLibFriends @HelenGymAtLarge are heard

Erme Maula with @FreeLibFriends says: with more funding we can address our inequities, provide jobs, allow our young people to thrive. @Darrell_Clarke, we need you to support these resources NOW!!!!

Yvette Robinson with @FreeLibFriends says: we need $30 million MORE so our libraries can be open 6 days a week, full staff including digital specialists, safe and working buildings and COVID protections. Let’s get it done!

"Philadelphia needs a strong library system to provide a safe haven, a valuable neighborhood resource in the fight against gun violence." — Yvette Robinson, Friends of Free Library Interim Co-Chair

We’re live with @FreeLibFriends and @PHParksAlliance to demands our public spaces are fully funded this budget season!

Libraries, parks and rec centers joining forces at the Rally for Public Spaces!

"With more money, we can address the inequities between neighborhoods and ensure that every neighborhood in Philadelphia from the far Southwest to the Far Northeast has the programs and resources to thrive." — Erme Maula, Friends of the Free Library Advocacy Committee Lead