Calling libraries the “heart and soul of the community,” District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer joined Friends of the Ocean Beach Library and the OB Rag on Saturday to collect signatures to thwart proposed cuts to San Diego’s city libraries. The recommended cuts would reduce each library’s operating hours from 36 to 18.5 hours a week. They are part of Mayor Jerry Sanders’ proposed $1.1 billion operating budget for the city’s 2012 fiscal year, which takes effect July 1. The signatures are to be presented to the City Council during the library department’s budget review today, May 5. The City Council’s final vote on the budget is scheduled for June 30. “I’m going to vote to keep libraries open at levels they’re open now. The city needs to make cuts in other areas,” Faulconer said in front of the historic Ocean Beach Branch Library, where a crowd of supporters wore “I Love My Library — SupportMyLibrary.org” stickers and carried signs. Among the sign messages was “America’s Dumbest City.” Sanders’ proposed 2012 budget includes cutting $14 million from recreation centers, beach fire pits and libraries, which would take a $7.1 million hit by closing library doors all but two days during the week and every other Saturday. Recreation center hours would be reduced from 40 to 20 hours a week beginning Sept. 6, and fire pits would be eliminated. The Fire/Rescue Department would receive an additional $8 million to restore idled fire engines, and the police department would lose $5.5 million and about 28 full-time positions. Unchanged from 2011 is $6.4 million in funding for the arts. “There is room in every department to make changes,” Faulconer said. “But our library department, they have done fantastic with less money. Our neighborhood volunteers have really picked up the slack.” Since 2000, city library hours have been cut from an average of 51 hours a week to 36 hours a week, according to city records. “Our libraries should be free and open to the public, just as our beaches remain that way,” Faulconer said. “As we saw with Proposition D, neighbors want City Hall to spend the money that it has wisely. Where we will be able to save literally hundreds of millions of dollars is pension reform, and that’s why I’m pushing for a measure on the June ballot. “When there’s a choice between libraries and an affordable pension, I know which side most voters are going to weigh in on,” he added. Noting that the city also needs to get creative with financial solutions, Faulconer talked about his idea to install solar panels on streetlights. “It not only generates electricity for light but potential revenue back to the city,” he said. Among those carrying signs to protest the proposed cuts were Ocean Beach residents Gretchen and Kristoffer Newsom and their 3-year-old son, Leiff. “This is not just a small public library. It’s a portal to the world,” Kristoffer said. “It’s a symbol and one of the foundations of a free society.” Carol Pekin, a 30-year-library patron, signed the petition and said, “I’m disgusted. This is an important resource in the lives of people. We want an educated voting populace.” There are 37 library branches and programs throughout the city of San Diego, seven of which are in District 2 in the communities of Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Mission Hills, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and in Downtown the Central Library and READ/San Diego program. On a typical day, according to library department statistics, San Diego’s city libraries attract 26,000 visitors who check out 28,000 items; 6,701 people use the computers and 1,000 other patrons attend library programs. Last year, 30,000 children were enrolled in the library’s summer reading program. “One of the great things about libraries is it cuts across every age group and every demographic,” Faulconer said. “This is what I consider to be an essential city service.” During the petition signing Saturday, the Ocean Beach Branch Library was humming with activity. All eight computers with Internet access were in use, visitors with laptops accessed wireless connections and others read newspapers and books. In the children’s area, Holly Robinson, 25, was helping her 16-month-old daughter, Olivia, use a computer-learning program designed specifically for small children. “We walk here two to three times a week,” Robinson said. “It saves a lot of money. We rent videos and I check out books for classes at Mesa College. I’m really upset they’re trying to close libraries. What about our children?” Boone Riddle, 29, who said he moved to San Diego from Denver just a week ago, waited briefly in line to get his freshly-minted library card to check out two books. “The staff was very helpful and I found the books I wanted quickly,” Riddle said. “The fast pace of our lives ignores education, and if the government depreciates libraries by deprioritizing learning and reading, it hurts our children and our society.” To learn more about the drive to save local libraries or to share your view with Faulconer, call (619) 236-6622, or email [email protected].