I just called around to some branches, and found out this regarding the rolling closures coming up in the next few days:

Cecil B. Moore is closed Fri 1/9 and Sat 1/10
Rodriguez is closed Thurs 1/8 (today)
Queen Memorial is closed Sat 1/10
Fumo is closed Sat 1/10

I also heard that they don't know what the schedule of closings is going to be for next week.

Cecil B. Moore and Rodriguez are both libraries that weren't on the original list of 11 slated for closure.

Here's some easy reading.

This Freakonomics article refers to a supposed "public library renaissance," and links to a Boston globe article purporting libraries to being a sort of recession sanctuary.

Just thought I'd quickly link to some nationally-read literature regarding the prevailing topic at hand, in case you might have missed them.

As posted at: http://www.eastern.edu/centers/hr/jobs/staff/0112.html

Eastern University
Office of Human Resources

Position: Librarian
Job Number: 0112

Position Summary

The Esperanza College Librarian is responsible for the overall operation of the library. The librarian is responsible for managing book acquisition, the book lending process, online resources, liaison with the Warner Library of Eastern University, inter-library loans and academic support to the faculty and dean. The library should function as an extension of the classroom and a resource for the entire college community. The librarian also provides direct customer service to students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Librarian also oversees administration of the library cataloging system (OPALS). The Librarian reports to the Dean of Esperanza College.

Position Responsibilities

I'm learning now that of the 11 branches they want to close, about half of them are in economically depressed parts of the city. They include:

Durham, Eastwick, Fishtown, Fumo, Haddington, Holmesburg, Kingsessing, Logan, Ogontz, Queen Memorial, and Wadsworth

I'm hearing this from a librarian who says that even though this information probably isn't supposed to be public yet -- she wants the city to know what these budget cuts are doing to their communities.

Philadelphia has spent a lot of money to attract people like my unnamed librarian friend to this city. She came here to study at one of the best Library Science schools in the nation -- Drexel -- and stayed for years after earning her degree, waiting for a position in one of the cities' libraries.