If the Pennsylvania Senate does not pass House Bill 1828 by Friday morning, September 18, the City of Philadelphia will issue layoff notices to 3,000 employees, including most of the staff of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The latest word is that the Senate may meet tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss and possibly vote on the bill. But it also may be delayed until next week.
As news of the possibility of the entire library system shutting down on October 2 spreads to a national audience, we are receiving calls from people all over the country (and some from overseas as well), asking for the contact information of our legislative leaders so that they can call them and urge a vote on the bill on Thursday. Here are three highly requested telephone numbers for the senate leaders and the governor's office (none are automated during the day—they are answered by a staff member).
Dominic Pileggi (R), Senate Majority Leader: (717) 787-4712
Robert Mellow (D), Senate Minority Leader: (717) 787-6481
Governor Edward Rendell: (717) 787-2500
Have a question for Free Library staff? Please submit it to our Ask a Librarian page and receive a response within two business days.
Dmitriy Marchenko - Phildelphia