Demonstrators protest Mayor Emanuel's reduction of Chicago Public Library hours

Protesters gathered today at the Chicago Public Library branches in Bucktown, Little Village and Beverly. They gathered at those libraries for one reason: to call on Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago's fifty aldermen to fully restore library hours.

Drivers honked horns and whistled in support as about 50 people huddled, waving signs, in front of the Bucktown-Wicker Park Library on a chilly Monday morning to protest reduced library hours at Chicago Public Libraries.

Protesters held signs such as "Restore funding," "People's library – not mayor's" and "Honk if you love libraries," demanding the city to reinstate full schedules for libraries.

After weeks of negotiations, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Saturday that the city's 76 branch libraries will reopen most Monday afternoons starting Feb. 6 and that he will hire back 65 of laid off workers.

In spite of the Mayor's reinstatement of some hours, most libraries will be closed on Monday mornings and 107 working people will still be without a job unless the mayor restores them. AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Hank Bayer issued the following statement.

“Because the city has not communicated with our union in more than a week, we know none of the details of this plan,” he said in a prepared statement.

“Recalling some employees to work and restoring some library hours appears to be a step in the right direction, and a sign that the mayor is starting to appreciate the importance of libraries.”

“Today’s plan seems to leave branch libraries closed most Monday mornings and more than 100 library employees still out of work. We urge the mayor to work with the union to finish the job for the people of Chicago, a world-class city that deserves libraries fully open and fully staffed.”

The fight to fully restore library hours may be long and protracted between Mayor Emanuel and ASFCME. It is clear that Chicagoans love their libraries and the patience of Chicagoans are running short.