JERSEY CITY – The announcement Tuesday by the Jersey City Free Public Library that three branches are closing by the end of the year is being met with resistance.
Councilman David Donnelly expressed his opposition on Wednesday to the closing this Friday, Oct. 1, of the West Bergen Branch Library, 476 West Side Ave., the closing of the Lafayette Branch Library, 307 Pacific Ave., on Monday, Nov. 1, and the Marion Branch Library, 1017 West Side Ave., on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Both the West Bergen Branch and Marion Branch are located in Donnelly’s ward.
“Believe me, I know the city is in dire fiscal straits, but surely we can find the funding to save these precious resources, especially in the West Side where we feel we are bearing the brunt of this burden,” Donnelly said.
Also, residents living near the Lafayette Branch are circulating an online petition, asking people to sign to save it from closing, at http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39266.html.
The petition will be sent to the Jersey City Public Library and to the City Council. – Ricardo Kaulessar