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By
Michael D'Onofrio, The Philadelphia TribuneJune 3, 2021
Yvetta Hill-Robinson, of the Friends of Overbrook Park Library, joined other library backers Wednesday demanding that City Council restore and increase Free Library of Philadelphia funding. (Abdul R. Sulayman / The Philadelphia Tribune)
Supporters of the Free Library of Philadelphia are demanding the Kenney administration and City Council restore and boost funding for the 54-branch system after it suffered deep budget cuts last year during the coronavirus pandemic.
The nonprofit volunteer group Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia say the library system needs $15 million more in funding beyond the $42.6 million in Mayor Jim Kenney’s proposed budget to help branches reopen from the pandemic and pay for staffing, programs, six-day service and more.