Is this the city's Public Libray system?!

It sounds like it. See this excerpt from that link that Rapaire gave above:

"Specifically, the following will take effect after the close of business, October 2, 2009:

All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled

All Parkway Central Library programs, including children programs, programs to support small businesses and job seekers, computer classes and after school programs, will be cancelled. We are exploring the possibility of relocating the Philadelphia Author Series programs to other non-library facilities.

All library visits to schools, day care centers, senior centers and other community centers will cease.

All community meetings at our branch and regional libraries, and the Parkway Central Library, will be cancelled.

All GED, ABE and ESL programs held at Free Library branches will be discontinued, students should contact their teacher to see if other arrangements are being made"

-snip-

Wow! How terrible!

And that list doesn't include how many working parents probably use the library as a safe place where their children can go after-school (kinda like an unofficial child care sitter).

I'm wondering if this is a threat so that that system gets more money from the state.

If the library system really goes forward with this, it will indeed be a tragedy.

And if Philly does this, can Pittsburgh's equally important public library system follow suit?