Plan Afoot to Keep Camden's Libraries Open

The public libraries in Camden, NJ may not be closing after all.  Camden mayor Dana Redd is announcing a rescue plan that will keep Camden's public libraries open.

KYW's Mike DeNardo reports that plans were in the works last week to shut down the three branches of the city library system, because of a budget crunch (see related story).

But Redd and freeholder director Louis Cappelli were unveiling a strategy today at a City Hall news conference to keep the libraries open.  It's possible that strategy may include the city becoming part of the Camden County library system.

Camden is facing a substantial cut in state aid while it tries to close a $28-million budget gap.

The mayor's budget proposal for next year gave the libraries only about a third of the funding they operated under this year -- and the head of the library board said they couldn't afford to run the system with that little money.

Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 for updates on this developing news story.