Two Libraries Close Today FOREVER

The Library Commission is going to close Lincoln Branch Library today. The library is closing tomorrow at 6, and won’t reopen to the public. Ever. Unless we can stop them. BAMN has been doing a lot of organizing with the support of the neighborhood groups, and the plan is to have a demonstration outside the library, in addition to a sit-in. We can expect police arriving to forcefully remove those who stay inside the library. It is critical to have involvement outside the library with as many people as possible.

Lincoln Library is located at 1221 E. Seven Mile. Be there by 5:30 pm if you can. Please spread the word.

Children use the library for school projects, some of them have projects due to be completed over the holiday break. It’s a safe place to be after school. There are many community programs, and it’s a social place for older members of the community. A place for all ages to gather and be brought together to learn.

There is a second library that will be defended tomorrow, as well. That’s the Montieth Public Library, 14100 Kercheval, Detroit, MI 48215. It doesn’t close until 8, so there may be an organized move of people from one to the other.

Meet at Lincoln Library before 5pm. Bring warm clothing, signs supporting community learning, our libraries, and our children. Discussion of mass transportation will be encouraged as the requirements will be greater as distance between people and the library to visit increase.

Facts To Know

• Our library system grew over the years to support a population of 2.5 million people at its peak. Detroit now has less than 750,000 people. Detroit has been loosing population at the rate of 65 people per day.
• In 1955 Detroit had nearly 13,500 residents per square mile – currently we have 5,760.
• The average Detroit family spends 32% of their income on transportation.
• Nearly 27% of Detroit is parks, open space, and vacant land – amounting to 37 square miles.
• A high school diploma is something 95,000 Detroiters age 25 to 64 do not have. 14,250 are statistically unemployed.
• A college degree is held by 11% of Detroiters, compared to 28% nationwide.

Our library system needs to be restructured to meet the needs of our changing city. Get involved, be present, and assist in proposing solutions.