Wed September 23, 2009 - WASHINGTON
from NewsChannel 8
Ground was broken Wednesday on a new library in D.C.'s Tenleytown neighborhood. It's going up despite the fact that existing libraries are being forced to cut their hours.
The Newman twins, 12-year-old Marcus and Michael, say the Washington Highlands Library is their favorite place to do homework.
"It's peaceful -- more quiet," said Michael Newman.
But the sign on the door says as of Oct. 5, there will be no more Sunday hours for young people who go there and to other neighborhood libraries around the city because of budget cuts.
But Mayor Fenty was there breaking ground for yet another new library Wednesday, and sources say at least five others are under construction around the city. When asked about building the new libraries while cutting back hours at the ones already open, Fenty claimed he didn't know anything about cutbacks.
Meanwhile, some met Wednesday with a representative from the Library Renaissance Project which is challenging the city's policies.
"It's appalling. It doesn't make any sense to put this kind of money in a building -- in a structure when you're still not going to have any money to staff or give the hours that are needed for the community," said ANC Commissioner Karlene Armstead.
They've complained that the politicians like ground breakings and ribbon cuttings more than staffing libraries so that they can better serve the public.
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