The Next Best Book Club discussion
Non-Book Related Banter
>
No more library?
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Jessica
(new)
Sep 12, 2009 05:56AM
I live in Philly, and just found out that due to our state budget crisis, the entire Philly library system will be shut down in a month due to lack of funds! I am devastated- I can't afford to buy all the books I read! And as a teacher, I want my students to be able to go to the library as well! I guess short of writing to my representatives, there's not much I can do, but I had to express my frustration among people who I knew would feel my pain.
reply
|
flag
Jessica wrote: "I live in Philly, and just found out that due to our state budget crisis, the entire Philly library system will be shut down in a month due to lack of funds! I am devastated- I can't afford to buy..."Oh no. I was griping because I had to wait 7-10 days for my books to be sent from other libraries. I am sorry to hear that. Maybe a grassroots organization would take up the banner. That is appalling, what will they cut next, water service. I feel a library is the core of a community . What would Ben Franklin say? I mean Philly is the seat of the public library that is a hugh disservice to your community.
That's horrible Jessica! I agree, a grassroots movement is in order here. We visit our libraries constantly. Like you, I can't afford my reading habit.
start contacting the representatives, the more the better, there is a study that says for every letter it represents 5 in the community. I would go all the way up to the White House, our president is education pro and I am sure this would not please him.
Our library was recently under attack when they did our state budgets, we lost some things but not as much as we could because we spoke up
As you all are aware California's budget is shot to hell and back. They never once mentioned closing libraries,reducing hours yes ,but closing ridiculous.
Fiona wrote: "What? I never even knew such a thing could happen. The library should be part of the community centre, you can't close libraries down. I'm sure there's other stuff you could close down first or som..."Lol I think we keep our libraries in business Fiona. I'm on my library's Most Wanted list lol.
I am definitely going to get on a letter writing campaign- hoping I can get my kids at school to do so as well. I appreciate everyone else's outrage- I knew I wasn't alone in feeling upset by this!
Write to your community leaders asking them for other altenatives: ie reduced hours, only open 4 days aweek , manned by volenteers anything to avoid a closure. To me that is striking out at the poor who can not afford to buy books or have reference materials available on the internet.
I live in the UK, but it would appear that Philistines rule in Philly. Closing libraries should be a last resort.Ken
Our library is going broke. They are now using a lot of volunteers. They used to mail books (how ever many a person wants at a time). Now they are only mailing out one book at a time. They have never had fees for overdue books, so people would hang on to their books forever. They are now charging fees for overdue books. You might want to suggest some of these things to the community leaders.
Jamborandi wrote: "Our library is going broke. They are now using a lot of volunteers. They used to mail books (how ever many a person wants at a time). Now they are only mailing out one book at a time. They have..."They never charged fees? Unbelievable. We always have been . I think since inception hehehehe
Jamborandi wrote: "Our library is going broke. They are now using a lot of volunteers. They used to mail books (how ever many a person wants at a time). Now they are only mailing out one book at a time. They have..."They never charged fees? Unbelievable. We always have been . I think since inception hehehehe
Jamborandi wrote: "Our library is going broke. They are now using a lot of volunteers. They used to mail books (how ever many a person wants at a time). Now they are only mailing out one book at a time. They have..."They never charged fees? Unbelievable. We always have been . I think since inception hehehehe
WOW. I don't visit the library nearly as much as I should (I have a book buying addiction), but I would be outraged if mine were to close!I would write letters, get a petition going, send them to your representative. (http://www.brady.house.gov/index.html contact info is at the bottom of the page)
I live in Wilkes-Barre, so I'll even write a letter to Senators Casey and Specter letting them know how appalling it is that this is even being considered.
Way to go girls and boys. I am a great letter writer to our senators and representatives. I know in the past we have had personal experiences from them. They can get things rolling along. Keep it up.
we just had a similar problem in ohio! however, i havent heard what the results of the campaign were. i do know that enough people spoke up that the date of the meeting got pushed back. i have been at my library frequently since then, so im assuming that all of the letter writing worked! good luck with your campaign! we have such a literacy problem here, how can people expect to make any headway on that if we close the library!
Oh, now I'm even more angry! I just googled "Philadelphia Library Closing" and after a little digging found this page http://libwww.freelibrary.org/closing/ which was posted yesterday. They have actually less than 3 weeks before they close. Coincidence? Trying to avoid the protests from the last time they tried this? Seems pretty damn sneaky to me. Here's a copy of the notice, outlining all the services that will end:
All Free Library of Philadelphia Branch, Regional and Central Libraries Closed Effective Close of Business October 2, 2009
All Free Library of Philadelphia Customers,
We deeply regret to inform you that without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg, the City of Philadelphia will not have the funds to operate our neighborhood branch libraries, regional libraries, or the Parkway Central Library after October 2, 2009.
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.
In addition, all library materials will be due on October 1, 2009. This will result in a diminishing borrowing period for books and other library materials, beginning September 11, 2009. No library materials will be able to be borrowed after September 30, 2009.
Even as we remain hopeful that the State Legislature will act and pass the enabling funding legislation, we wanted to notify all of our customers of this very possible outcome. If you have any questions about impacts to Free Library services, call 215-686-5322, or visit the Free Library of Philadelphia website at www.freelibrary.org. If you have questions about changes to City services, or if you want to be kept informed about this situation, we encourage you to contact Philly 311 by calling 3-1-1 between the hours of 8am and 8 pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-5pm Saturdays, e-mail philly311@phila.gov, or visit the City of Philadelphia website at http://www.phila.gov.
We thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support of the Free Library of Philadelphia during these difficult times.
Siobhan Reardon, President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia
This affects ALL Pennsylvanians. Our state is working on THREE MONTHS without a budget. People aren't being paid, services are being shut down because there is no money, and now this.
I am ROYALLY PISSED. I encourage any and all Pennsylvania resident reading this to send a letter to not only their representative but Senators Casey and Specter too. We wouldn't need to close libraries and other necessary services if they get their heads out of their asses and do their jobs.
Sorry, I am really angry about this.
OH MY GOD! that is horrible! no more after school programs? if that really happens then i dont want to here about all the gang violence and other trouble that the Pennsylvania teens get into because they have nowhere else to go and nothing else to do with their time. do they not realize the jeopardy that they are putting their kids in by doing this?!
OH!!! We all need Libraries!!! I have benefited SOOOO much from Libraries in my years of persuing books , and my children too. Lord help this situaiton. amen.Sharon
ps. I have a Christian ladies group here if any of you would like to come join you are invited!:)
http://www.amazon.com/Communions-Chri...
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/2...
The same thing happened a few years ago in Salinas, CA where my sister lives. They started a grass roots movement to keep it open and were successful. Unfortunately, one of the reasons was because Clint Eastwood, who lives in nearby Carmel, ponied up a bunch of money for the first year while they figured things out. Maybe you guys could find some local philanthopists who would help out? Closing a library is devastating. I don't know what I would do if my library system shut down, especially since the downturn in the economy has required my to be VERY CAREFUL of what money I spend. That this could happen in a city as large as Philadelphia is amazing!!Carol - I agree, I thought CA was bad!
Siobhan - You go!! If you guys have a website or something, I would be willing to donate 25.00 to help out. This is really an issue that affects EVERYONE as it could set a dangerous precedent.
*steps off soapbox*
get back up on your soapbox Lyn, you sounded great!
Becky wrote: "WOW. I don't visit the library nearly as much as I should (I have a book buying addiction), but I would be outraged if mine were to close!I would write letters, get a petition going, send them to..."
Becky wrote: "WOW. I don't visit the library nearly as much as I should (I have a book buying addiction), but I would be outraged if mine were to close!
I would write letters, get a petition going, send them to..."
I wrote to the senators in the spring and they indicated they wouldn't vote to shut the libraries down, but apparently that isn't the case....how awful...I can't believe it.
Jennifer wrote: "we just had a similar problem in ohio! however, i havent heard what the results of the campaign were. i do know that enough people spoke up that the date of the meeting got pushed back. i have b..."hey what part of ohio? Check out cuyahoga county library home page, whole link on the cuts we now get. and what really makes me mad is the CITIZENS voted for a tax increase and they still attack the little man.
I would take that article and write reasons for every one that shows why it is bad and would then say did the governer take a pay decrease, what about the representatives, what about money for this ( any thing can be put here that is really necessary) was it cut,
my big one is how can kids get the research they need? Hey use some points from the president speech we want the kids to take responbility for thier education but we are chain locking the doors to the library
That was my concern. I know in some districts ,parents are too poor to afford computers for on-line research. That is when the public libraries become a nessecity for old fashion research:ie books and encyclopedias. Shame on the legislators for not standing up for the economically compromized.
I work in a very high need school in Philadelphia teaching social studies- I'm very concerned that my kids will no longer have access both to books and computers/internet/etc that many of them don't have at home. Philadelphia's school district in general is a mess...we need to give the kids all the help we can, not take it away- because in the end, it becomes a self-perpetuating system.
carol (akittykat) wrote: "That was my concern. I know in some districts ,parents are too poor to afford computers for on-line research. That is when the public libraries become a nessecity for old fashion research:ie books ..."One of my letters included a whole list of how you are hurting the economically challenged and supressing students from reaching their potential
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "carol (akittykat) wrote: "That was my concern. I know in some districts ,parents are too poor to afford computers for on-line research. That is when the public libraries become a nessecity for old ..."Where do the legisltor's children go to school? I know that they have access to computers in their homes,but what if their children were locked out. What alternative could they offer to them? LIBRARIES
Wow. That is so unfortunate. Makes me feel sort of guilty for not giving more to the library now that I'm an adult, on my own. I know they are doing budget cuts in my hometown (they cut out the www.dearreader.com program just a couple weeks ago), and I can't be of much use there. But you've just inspired me to become a friend of the library where I live now.
This is truly appalling. Education should always come first no matter what budgetary constraints there may be. The library system is an extension of the school system. Where are these kids supposed to get materials for their research projects? What happens to those that do not have computers at home? It's such as disgrace that politicians think this okay.I agree with Becky start writing to your senators and representatives. Definitely get your school and other schools involved and organize a protest if you have to. We fail our kids if we let something like this happen without fighting it.
Abigail wrote: "Wow. That is so unfortunate. Makes me feel sort of guilty for not giving more to the library now that I'm an adult, on my own. I know they are doing budget cuts in my hometown (they cut out the www..."I became a Friend of the Library this year. I only donated $25 but that money can go at least towards one popcorn and movie program which they hold on Saturday for the kids. My view is that every little bit counts. Next year I definitely plan on donating more since I've seen all the good programs my library holds for our community.
And I thought closing the libraries on Sundays during the summer months was a pill. I will be praying for all Pennsylvanians to get the libraries to stay open and have everyone paid as they should be. God bless all of you.I personally would be screwed if I didn't have a library available to go to. No money for books or any real private space to just chill. The library takes care of both things.
What would the repersentative think/do if PEOPLE from all over the country started emailing them?
with a copy of each email sent forwarded to President Obama...
who has a link on Facebook too... you could try there as well to drum up a little support.
start a group of PHilly library lovers, etc.
who has a link on Facebook too... you could try there as well to drum up a little support.
start a group of PHilly library lovers, etc.
This atrocious! I can't even wrap my head around such a thing.
At the moment I have my students writing letters to our representatives. Hoping that the idea will catch on across the school. Other teachers I know are doing the same. Sometimes it helps to have those most affected and whose voices are least heard get involved.
Wow, what a tragedy, but also a great opportunity for your students to have a civics lesson.I did some research and it looks like it's not just libraries that will be affected...say goodbye to your arts funding, historical commission, parks and recreation. Also, it looks like you won't be needing a fair number of traffic signals (which will change to flashing lights) and trash pick-up (which will only happen every other week). How fun! You can check out the complete list of cuts on the city website.
That said, I can't imagine the legislature would let it get that far. They've been working on HB 1828. Check out its history. I'm not sure what has happened to it since September 10th. The bill proposes additional budget funding for the city through pension reform and a 1% increase to the sales tax. My google search for "Pennsylvania HB 1828" turned up a letter from a firefighter claiming that the bill will injure municipal employees. The legislators are probably facing angry unions, so a little support from library lovers can't hurt.
I wouldn't panic quite yet. I have a feeling that this library closing plan is drama to drum up political support for passing budget changes. Not to say it isn't serious, but it all just sounds so extreme. I predict the lovely legislators saving your precious books in the nick of time. I sure hope I'm right about that.
If the libraries end up having to close, I would suggest rallies outside the PA state legislature. Letters are great, but bodies are better. I think Americans don't protest nearly enough. There are probably grassroots groups you can join, too.
Rallies outside the state legislature WITH SCHOOLCHILDREN. Preferably crying. That'll get the TV cameras!
Susanna wrote: "Rallies outside the state legislature WITH SCHOOLCHILDREN. Preferably crying. That'll get the TV cameras!"Or a Children's Read-In (showing my '60s upbringing with that term) with no books because they can't get any from the closed libraries.
