UPDATE (9/17/09): WCAU (NBC Philadelphia) is reporting that the State of Pennsylvania has passed the budget measures necessary to fund many of Philadelphia’s city services. More details are coming…

ORIGINAL POST (9/14/09): As Mayor Michael Nutter works to make his vision of a more “desirable” (read: gentrified) Philadelphia for out-of-towners a reality, he’s affected those who currently live within the city limits to a great deal. With a  well-documented budget fight taking place in Harrisburg, the city has decided that without the State-provided money approved for the city, the remaining libraries in the Free Library system will be closed on October 2nd, 2009. Take a second to imagine that… the United States’ 6th most populous city, with 1.5 million residents within the city limits, will not have a functioning public library to speak of.

Typically, the only calls to action that I post on this site involve going out to support a local musician or business… believe me when I say this, and no disrespect is meant to anyone, but the Philadelphia Free Library system is FAR more important than any restaurant, nightclub, or rapper could ever dream to be. Among the services the provide the community are GED & ESL classes, as well as the much-needed LEAP after-school program. In a city where 23% of the population lives below the poverty line, these city-provided services are absolutely invaluable.

So what can you do? Please visit the Free Library’s website and learn about actions you can take as a Philadelphia city or Pennsylvania state resident. WE pay the taxes that keep this city & state running and WE cast the votes that put these politicians into office, so WE HOLD THE POWER. TAKE ACTION NOW! If you do not live in Pennsylvania or you’re still not sure which elected representative to call, please contact Gov. Ed Rendell’s office. Time is running out, but with enough outcry from the public, we can make a difference!!