Politics & Government

Cobb Residents Silently Protest to Save 13 Libraries

Cobb residents read books during silent protest in Mariettta.

Under to help with the county's $31 million budget deficit, 13 libraries would close beginning May 1. However, the is one of four that would remain open. 

Residents joined forces Monday afternoon in a silent protest at Marietta Square to send a message loud and clear: "Save our libraries."

County leaders are searching for ways to make up a budget shortfall of more than $31 million. The residents at Monday's read-in want libraries off the list.

Find out what's happening in South Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We need these libraries to stay open," said Sarah Waiters, a protest organizer. "The libraries provide so much—educational programs for kids and so much more."

Protesters from Austell, Northeast Cobb, East Cobb and across the county gathered at Marietta Square. Many learned of the protest from online posts by the Save Cobb Libraries Facebook page and Twitter account (@keeplibraryopen).

Find out what's happening in South Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The county also is considering closing three senior centers and two pools and cutting every department's budget by 3.5 percent.

Cobb County commissioners are scheduled to vote on the budget Tuesday morning.  The meeting starts at 9.

The budget would run through Sept. 30.

The plan that would close the libraries, floated by Chairman Tim Lee, includes a 0.5 millage rate increase for the county's fire fund, equaling a $40 tax increase for a home valued at $200,000.

You can send opinions about the budget to budgetcomments@cobbcounty.org or to specific commissioners:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here