WEST SIDE LIBRARIES BRACE FOR CUTS

By [Rochana Rapkins] The New York City Public Library could face devastating cuts if Mayor Michael Bloomberg?s proposed $37 million reduction in library funding is adopted. In addition to jobs lost through attrition, 736 additional library jobs could be eliminated, according to Susan Singer, a library manager at the Bloomingdale branch, on West 100th Street. ?It would be the worst cut in our history,? Singer said during a July 17 meeting of Community 7?s youth, education and libraries committee. Six-day service is also under threat. West Side branches have already cut down on hours and instituted a hiring freeze. If the proposed changes go through, the surviving libraries would only open four days a week, according to Singer. Free programs for children would also be eliminated. In response to the crisis, the library has instituted a fundraising and letter-writing campaign. To date, nearly 100,000 letters of support have been collected.