Like many cities, Oakland is currently faced with a major budget crisis, and many community organizations are at risk, including Oakland Public Library. Under one of Mayor Quan's three proposed scenarios, the library would be reduced from 18 locations to only 4, and 80-90% of library staff would be laid off.

Locations to be closed would be Asian, Brookfield, Cesar Chavez, Eastmont, Elmhurst, Golden Gate, Lakeview, Martin Luther King, Melrose, Montclair, Piedmont, Temescal, West Oakland, AAMLO, and the Tool Lending Library.

Next Monday, June 20, Save Oakland Library is having a 14-Hour Read-In in front of City Hall (1 Frank Ogawa Plaza) to make their voices heard before Oakland City Council presents their budget recommendations on Tuesday, June 21.

Guest readers, including some local celebrities, will read in 15-minute slots continuously from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The spectrum of books read will reflect the depth and richness of resources available at the various branches of the Oakland Public Library. There will also be a children's storytime (and possibly some other themes) to be announced later.

Supporters of Oakland Public Library should join the Save Oakland Library Facebook page or check out their website for up-to-date information and upcoming events.