GREENHILLS — A freckled, 7-year-old boy stood before his Village Council members and made a plea for all kids who, like him, enjoy spending long, lazy summer days curled up with good books.

About 70 Greenhills residents attended council's emergency session on the library closing. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        “I like the library very much, so please don't close it,” said Zach Pardin, who attended the council's noon Wednesday emergency session.

        What locals said was the largest crowd ever to pack council chambers came to get a fighting chance to save the Greenhills library branch, which the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County said Tuesday would be one of five to close on Sept. 1.

        Officials also plan to shut the Deer Park, Bond Hill, Mount Healthy and Elmwood Place branches, citing a $4.3 million drop in state funding.

        Greenhills leaders organized Wednesday's session to rally support for what promises to be a passionate fight to keep open the branch at 7 Endicott St. Municipal Manager David Moore and two council members, Clifft Rotherum and Fred Murrell, promise to lead petition drives, request the library system's financial records and attend the library board's Aug. 12 meeting to save the branch that has been a haven for avid readers since the 1950s.

        About 70 residents stood up and cheered when almost 20 people testified to the library's importance.

        “That library is the most important building in this town,” said Lora Wolke.

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