New York, NY —

The people who run the city's libraries are concerned about the job and social service cuts in Mayor Bloomberg's latest budget plan. Paul LeClerc is president of the New York Public Library and says in the last twelve months the city's three library systems have seen over 40 million physical visits. He fears a restrained budget will cut staff and library hours.

But I do hope that we can come through the negotiating process with restorations that will let us minimally keep the libraries open six days a week.

LeClerc says most people come for help finding a job, preparing a resume, or using the free Internet.

LeClerc is afraid they'll have to cut 415 library jobs, reduce their book purchases by 25 percent and research materials by 35 percent. he says programs for children and seniors are threatened as well.