Save Your Local Biblioteca!

Phillyist is fairly sure that everyone has heard about the city's money troubles...and the state's money troubles...and the country's money troubles. We are all fairly certain, unless you live in a bubble at the bottom of the sea, that everyone knows budgets are being cut and belts are being tightened everywhere.

We are not so certain if you've heard that your local library may be on the losing end of all a proposed governmental slash and burn.

Yoga classes, children's art hours, lessons on how to build robots, live readings by Anthony Bourdain, performances by local musicians and copies of Playboy—all this could be yours! And the price is right: the Philadelphia Public Library brings in AMAZING programing for free, and not for naught—the library system brings these programs to the neighborhoods where inhabitants can't afford to pay for such enriching services out of pocket.

So what can you do to make sure that these institutions stay open?

Start by checking out this list and find your local senator. Call, email, or snail mail them; let them know that you want to see libraries properly funded—and even more importantly, protest the proposed budget cuts that could slash your local branch's budget or even worse, close it all together. You can also find more information on this call to arms, by visiting Pennsylvania's Libaray Association online. And, as always, check out the Free Library of Philadelphia's website and, we don't know, maybe actually VISIT your local library. Your physical presence and grassroots support goes a LONG way-so help a city out and show your support!

Image Credit: thisisbossi