We are living through a coordinated assault on knowledge. In a moment when Big Tech is waging war on complex thoght,a fascist government is targeting higher education,and the media landscape is being demolished by the same oligarchs driving this era of smash-and-grab politics,libraries are under-appreciated outposts of struggle,sharing and survival. They are sites of refuge, where curiosity is nurtured, where people find shelter, education, entertainment, job assistance, skill-building programs, and access to resources that would or else be out of reach. “We do it all at the library,” Sara Heymann, a library associate in the Chicago Public Library (CPL) system, recently told me. “We do a lot of arts, science, and literacy programming. We host movie nights. We have programs for helping people with their taxes, small businesses, and mental health. We help people.”

As models of the kind of community care,education,and learning infrastructure we need not only to fight fascism but to build the world we want,public libraries should be fortified and expanded. Instead,they are often targeted during budget battles – and that is precisely what’s happening in Chicago right now. The proposed budget put forward by Mayor Brandon Johnson includes catastrophic cuts to an already underfunded library system.

These cuts must be vigorously opposed.

What Chicago’s Libraries Look Like on the Ground

To understand what such cuts would mean in practice, I spoke with Heymann, who has worked as a library associate in the teen department since 2019, and currently works at the Chicago Public Library’s Little Village branch. She described a system that has not been adequately staffed for years.

Chicago Public Library Faces Deep Cuts, Threatening Vital Services

Chicago’s public libraries are bracing for significant budget cuts that library workers warn will decimate staffing, collections, and programming, disproportionately impacting communities already facing resource scarcity. The proposed 2026 budget includes the elimination of 89 positions, adding to the 78 lost over the past year.

“That’s equivalent to at least two people per library,” noted library worker Heymann. “And I don’t understand why a progressive mayor is cutting our staff to these levels when he wants us to do all these programs.”

These cuts follow more than a decade of attrition and strike a system already operating below capacity. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s governance slashed staffing by over 26% in 2012, and the Lightfoot administration failed to fulfill a written promise to restore Sunday hours by hiring 115 part-time and 62 full-time employees. Branches on the South and West Sides, serving predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, have consistently experienced the most severe shortfalls, with some lacking essential positions for years.

The proposed restructuring also threatens to erase specialized roles like children’s, teen, and adult librarians, forcing experienced staff to cover all areas irrespective of expertise. At the Harold Washington Library, this shift is already underway, with long-term specialists being assigned to unfamiliar collections. “They’re just there to be a body at the desk,” Heymann explained.

The budget also slashes the collections budget – encompassing books, e-resources, audiobooks, and magazines – from $10 million to $5 million. With e-book and audiobook waitlists already stretching for months, this cut will drastically worsen access.Chicago already spends less per capita on libraries than cities like Los Angeles and new York, and a 50% reduction would force branches to prioritize only high-demand titles, eliminating specialized materials, foreign language books, and culturally specific collections.Communities like Little Village, which have seen recent expansions of Spanish-language materials, would be especially affected.

Initially, staff were told the $10 million collections budget had been restored, but this was later retracted, with the funds now deemed “in jeopardy” following a budget vote. as of early December, the status of collections funding remains uncertain.

these cuts come at a critical time when access to reliable information is paramount.”at a time when having access to information and news is pretty much as critical as I’ve ever seen it, people need to have an understanding of what the facts are versus what they just see online,” Heymann said. Halving the collections budget during a disinformation crisis is, she argues, “an assault on Chicago’s public inventiveness and intellectual potential.”

Reduced staffing and collections will also severely impact programming, including children’s story times, workshops, book clubs, and teen internships, as staff will be overwhelmed by circulation desk duties. Security staffing has also been cut in half.

Libraries serve as vital social infrastructure, particularly in under-resourced neighborhoods, providing assistance with housing forms, job applications, and property tax issues. These cuts threaten to undermine this crucial role, leaving communities with fewer resources and less access to essential services.

Chicago Library Funding Fight: A Growing Resistance

A battle is brewing in Chicago over library funding, with advocates warning of severe consequences if proposed budget cuts are enacted.The proposed cuts,totaling $14 million,threaten library hours,programs,and potentially even branch closures,sparking a wave of protest and organizing from library workers and community members.

The Proposed Cuts and Their Impact

The proposed budget cuts come at a time when libraries are increasingly vital community hubs, offering not just books but also essential services like internet access, job search assistance, and educational programs. These cuts would disproportionately impact underserved communities that rely heavily on library resources.

• Reduced Hours: Libraries would be forced to shorten their operating hours, limiting access for working families and students.
• Programme Cancellations: Popular programs for children, seniors, and job seekers would be eliminated.
• Potential Branch Closures: the most drastic outcome could be the closure of library branches,particularly in neighborhoods with limited resources.

The Role of Aldermanic Privilege

A key factor in the debate is Chicago’s tradition of “aldermanic privilege,” which gives individual aldermen significant control over decisions in their wards. This means that the fate of library funding can often rest in the hands of a few key aldermen, making targeted pressure campaigns crucial.

Growing Opposition and activism

The proposed cuts have ignited a strong backlash from library workers, community groups, and concerned citizens. Organizers are mobilizing to pressure aldermen to restore library funding.

“Libraries embody everything that we need right now to fight back against fascism. It is the medicine we need to oppose some of the most terrible things in this world.” – sarah Heymann, Library Advocate

Union Involvement and Direct Action

AFSCME Local 1215, the union representing Chicago library workers, is playing a leading role in the fight. They are encouraging members and supporters to directly engage with aldermen.

“People need to start just walking into their alderpeople’s offices and letting them know this is something that’s important to them,” said Sarah Heymann. “Calling and writing matter,but physical presence matters too.”

Union organizers are calling on Chicagoans to join library workers at the December 8 Finance Committee meeting at City Hall.

Key Takeaways

• Chicago libraries face significant budget cuts that threaten essential services.
• Aldermanic privilege plays a crucial role in the funding decision.
• Strong community organizing and direct action are vital to protecting library funding.
• Libraries are seen as crucial institutions in resisting broader societal trends.

Looking Ahead

The outcome of this battle will have significant implications for the future of chicago’s libraries and the communities they serve. The coming weeks will be critical as organizers continue to pressure aldermen and mobilize public support. The fight for library funding is not just about books; its about access to information, chance, and a vital public space for all Chicagoans. continued engagement and advocacy will be essential to ensure that Chicago’s libraries remain strong and accessible for generations to come.