What started out as a Facebook page has expanded its presence online. The citizens group Save Cobb Libraries launched a website Monday as part of its continued efforts to stave off proposed Cobb library cuts.
Rachel Slomovitz, an East Cobb resident who started the Facebook page, said Monday in introducing the site that “here we are, gathering our supplies, getting prepared for battle in these next 3 months really.”
The East Cobb Library is one of eight slated for closure or consolidation as part of proposed library cuts amounting to nearly $3 million, or roughly one-third of the Cobb library system budget.
Cobb commissioners will approve a fiscal year 2019 budget in July, with projections of a deficit of at least $30 million. Cobb commission chairman Mike Boyce announced last week several budget town hall meetings in June, including one at the East Cobb Senior Center.
At a recent town hall meeting Slomotitz and other library advocates attended, Cobb commissioner Bob Ott pledged that the East Cobb Library “isn’t going to close,” but urged citizens to lobby his fellow commissioners.
The Save Cobb Libraries website has details about the proposed cuts, suggests talking points, urges citizens to contact their commissioners and sign a petition and has testimonials from patrons about the value of libraries.
In her message Monday, Slomovitz also said she’s sending out an e-mail update every Monday for those who aren’t on Facebook (contact info@savecobblibraries.com) and encouraged fellow library advocates to stay active:
“The Commissioners are convinced by those that come up and represent their views. So if no one comes out in favor of the libraries, they say it’s clearly not a priority, it will be an easy one to cut. If people come out with force, then it’s less likely going to end up on the chopping block.”
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