Mayor Michael Nutter has pledged to not permanently shut down any libraries for the time being, even if the state appeals court grants the city authority to do so. The City of Philadelphia is currently appealing a December 2008 Common Pleas Court decision, which halted the permanent closure of 11 libraries and ordered the Mayor to first seek City Council approval before shutting down city buildings such as libraries.

Under the Mayor’s latest announcement, all branches will remain open through June 30, though at a reduced schedule likely to start by the end of February. Free Library of Philadelphia communications director Sandy Horrocks says library administrators are still working out the schedule, which will reduce hours system-wide from six days a week to either three, four or five days a week. But before implementing any scheduling changes, the management must first give AFSCME District Council 47- the union representing library staff- 30 days notice to review the new schedule.

Library advocate Amy Dougherty, who’s the director for the Friends of the Free Library, views Nutter’s pledge to keep the libraries open through June 30th as a victory. She believes public outcry, the Common Pleas Court decision, and continued advocacy proved effective in getting the Mayor to back off immediate plans to permanently shutter 11 libraries. What’s more, Dougherty says, is that the Friends of the Free Library, which represents library patrons, now has a seat at the table in the city’s discussions about the library system.  As a result, Dougherty applauds the administration’s shift to implementing equal service reductions at all libraries, and not targeting individual branches as originally planned.

But come July 1rst, that could all change. Right now, the Mayor is asking all city agencies, including the library system, to draw up spending plans for Fiscal Year 2010, which takes effect July 1st. All departmental plans must account for 10%, 20%, and 30% budget reductions in response to the latest $1 billion budget deficit facing the city over the next five years. In response to the first budget deficit that hit Philly in November 2008, the library system took a 20% spending cut. It’s likely the library system will again face cuts for the upcoming fiscal year. On top of that, if the state appeals court ends up ruling in the the city’s favor, then the Mayor would have the authority to permanently close libraries as a way to generate savings.