Once again the Seattle mayor's budget for the new fiscal year fails to properly reflect Seattle City Library needs.

Specifically the library needs funding to restore library hours and collection budget cuts made in previous years. Currently only a few branches are open Sundays and those that are open are limited to four hours.

Most branches close by 6 p.m. on workdays for half the days they are open. At least two days a week the libraries do not open until 1 p.m. No branch is open after 8 p.m. any day.

Seattle library users are avid readers. They are also busy working people who need proper access hours to adequately use the library and its collection.

We need to urge the city council to restore previously open hours to give proper access to library services and we need to restore previous cuts in collection funds made over the past year. The friends of Southwest Library need your support on these matters.

Mary Ellis Wheeley

City View