If you don't have a public library card - get one now. Here's why

[ehrnst]

Even if the scenario below doesn't happen, public libraries are always a target for cuts... Once upon a time there were no public libraries and people either had money and access, or they didn't


An easy action:

If you or your family don't have a library card, GET ONE. DeVos will fight hard against public education. Public libraries are next. Local politicians look at the # of the population vs the # of library card holders. If the % of cardholders to population isn't high, then they think, "Why are our people being taxed for this service?" Getting a library card is an act of support in ways bigger than you imagined.
What could it hurt???

Get a library card to enrich your mind & heart, to become more integrated into the life of your community. Get a library card to enable yourself to thrive

[chelsea0011]

1. This is a long standing hate from the RW. I hear it on eithe RW radio or RW radio sports shows.

Hosts openly questioning any need for libraries. And why are we wasting money on them.

[Zoonart]

3. IMHO

Many right wingers are also Xan fundies and don't respect any book other than the Bible.(Which, in practice, they mostly ignore unless it is wielded like a weapon.) They also dislike that Libraries provide support for the immigrant communities by hosting seminars, helping them fill out forms, providing English Language services.

[llatttal]

19. ESL

Many medium-large Southern Baptist churches in Texas provide ESL classes, GED classes and family assistance to those in need regardless of immigration status. They don't harbor those who have broken the law, but they meet their needs according to their beliefs.

[Zoonart]

20. Nice to hear

Do they support libraries?

[llatttal]

21. Yes

They refer clients there regularly. They try to provide all the info clients need.

[Zoonart]

22. also good to hear

[LanternWaste]

27. None of which addresses the concern and the need for publicly funded libraries...

None of which addresses the concern and the need for publicly funded libraries... as many churches will refuse service if the person of need is "morally challenged" by 4,000 year old laws (esp. the medium-large Southern Baptist churches in Texas, where I've lived and attended church for over 40 years).

[MissB]

16. Clearly not one of them has spent even a minute in one.

My husband is the only one that doesn't have one. I think I'll press him on that issue as he gets closer to retirement. He loves to read but rarely has time to carve out for it.

[Zoonart]

2. THIS

We have a beautiful and vibrant library that is a resource for local meetings, movie nights, educational support, a myriad of programs to help seniors, and also immigrant populations. It is an invaluable asset to the community.

[Equinox Moon]

4. Our public libraries are used heavily.

I love my library and its services and I am not alone. Always full of people.
Always long wait lists for current materials.

I get your point. I hope it is not an issue coming down the pike.

[Runningdawg]

5. I grew up in a place so backward

the text books were 20 years old. If it hadn't been for the library 20 miles away, I would have graduated HS with a 5th grade education and a couple of babies on my hips. I literally owe the library my life. It's one place I have consistently donated time and money over the last 45 years and I hope I can continue to do that for 50 more.

[nolabear]

10. Ain't that he truth. The library was a refuge and a resource for so many of us!

I spent many an afternoon there reading newspapers and magazines I'd never have had access to otherwise. Other than TV news (a lifelong political obsession) I learned not only facts and good literature but that there was a world out there that I very much wanted to be a part of.

[Runningdawg]

17. I spent many afternoons and weekends in the library

reading books that were banned in my house and I didn't DARE check out. In a place where everyone knows everyone business, thank goodness the librarian wasn't a snitch. Re-visiting this subject today, I would send her a bunch of roses and a thank you card if she hadn't already passed. My eternal gratitude to ALL librarians!

[spooky3]

11. Great story! I had no idea that libraries had this impact

But it makes perfect sense.

[crazycatlady]

6. kick

libraries also offer other things. Free access to entertainment (music and movies). My library prints out how much you save by using it (adding up the value of the items you checked out if you were to buy them).

They also offer free (or cheap) meeting space. How many of these GOP congresscritters have used the library as meeting space?

[DinahMoeHum]

7. In a time of crisis (natural disaster), libraries. . .

. . .can be sanctuaries, as well of sources of information.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the libraries were one of the few places in my area with electricity generators. People flocked there to charge up or read their e-mails from the computers until power was restored.

[dlk]

8. Public Libraries are Part of a Strong Democracy

For a democracy to succeed, the people need to be educated and well-informed, as there is never a shortage of bad actors and con artists. From the earliest age, children need to be taught the joys to be found in reading and knowledge through their public libraries. It will help combat the anti-intellectual streak that teaches that knowledge is somehow an unnecessary or bad thing that harms us all.

[simguy225]

29. "Public Libraries are Part of a Strong Democracy"

So is good public education, which is why they want to destroy both.

[BadgerKid]

9. Good advice

Having a public library where you have freedom to choose content spits in the face of what the lack of net neutrality could become.

[GallopingGhost]

12. Fascists don't like an educated populace.

Much harder to control.

[Glaisne]

13. Anything and everything public

whether it's libraries, schools, parks, the Post Office or any Public institution conservatives hate and want to destroy. Conservatives are evil and enemies of the country.

[DK504]

14. Trying to privatize Libraries

Here in the Deep Dark South, in Bay St. Louis, Ms. some douchnozzle is trying to privitize our public library. There people signing petitions, raising hell at meeting and writing alot of letter to all newspapers in the area.

Welcome to the New World. We will be sending you some poisoned blankets soon.

[wrenken]

15. Libararies are Important

My wife is a Librarian. They provide many services that people dont know. They have a passport service. They have job labs, where they help people find jobs. They have services that help support small businesses. They also help people start their own businesses. Through her library system, you can check out books and materials with other libraries around the state and even connected libraries around the world. This is beyond checking out books, DVD's, CD's and the like. Mr conservative neighbor thinks her job is worthless. As he said once, those that can afford books can read them, if you can't afford them, too bad. She deals with people like that all the time.

[Kimchijeon]

18. that is good advice!

I didn't even think of the importance it could have in this case. Good thinking.

[IronLionZion]

23. Good call! I just signed up for one

most libraries have the preferred option to sign up online

[Ilsa]

24. My county loves and protects its publuc libraries.

It's heavily republican, but I suspect many republicans are really Democrats. They simply can't win if D is after their names.

[Retrograde]

25. I have two

One for my local library system and one for San Francisco (many if not most library systems in California let residents from other parts of the state get library cards) and both get heavy workouts: local for physical books, SF for ebooks and audiobooks.

[zeusdogmom]

26. Once you get your card, make sure to use it

Circulation stats are important, especially for local funding. The library has so many things to offer. A true treasure trove available to anyone in the community who has an address.

The Bookmobile was my life line as a child living in a rather isolated rural area. Every two weeks the truck would lumber into the wide spot in road we called town and my siblings, parents, and I would load up on books. Arm loads of books. The librarian knew what I loved to read and always had at least one special book for me. I wonder if she knew how much of an impact she had on my life?

Fast forward 30+ years and I was the bookmobile driver and librarian. Best job ever!!!

[crazycatlady]

28. I love the services my library offers

Granted lately, I'm more likely to use their ebook system (Overdrive) than physical books, especially when on the road, but I'm very thankful for them

They also have a little free library (have a book leave a book) and I've found some good reads there.

[trocar]

30. When I was young

I remember the library was my favorite place to be. After I got a job and started working it was easier to just buy the book, my home had bookcases everywhere. I am now supporting my 89 year old mother at her assisted living home and she is a voracious reader. I got a library card to keep up with her reading, at least 10 books a week, she loves it. Now that I have to go into the library again after decades away I realize how important they are to the community.

[marked50]

31. Absolutely! - Remember "Fahrenheit 451"- Long live Ray Bradbury (figuratively)

[Jack-o-Lantern]

32. libraries?? Not so fast.

Well here there is one really good library. But we live 4 miles north of the county line and for myself and my wife they charge $120,00 per year for our cards.
As for the county we live in there a couple of one room libraries and those charge ten dollars for a card. We are retired now so we stopped buying cards.
While I fully support libraries and all the have to offer, I resent this pay to play scheme to make money when we all pay taxes to fund libraries.

[Progressive dog]

33. That sucks

Here in NYS, my free card lets me borrow books from any of the over 60 libraries in our 5 county regional system. And there are thousands of electronic books available online.
More than 50 years ago, my then local NYS library could find and get books from almost any library in the state. They did this by a state central card catalog database and a library delivery system.
Our local libraries are mostly separate non profits. Funding comes from state, county, towns, and donations/fundraising.

[alarimer]

35. That's the Republican "starve the beast" model of governance

I don't think you can blame the library for needing money to stay afloat. Instead, blame Republicans for not wanting to pay taxes for the greater good and persuade other voters of the need for public services like this. I guess it makes a certain kind of sense for that library to charge folks who live outside the county but want to use it, but it is unfortunate it is so high. I remember living in California at a time when Salinas County threatened to shut down the library named after John Steinbeck. There was a plan floated then to make locals pay for library cards. It did not happen then, although I do not know the situation now.

People can be really short-sighted, not wanting to pay even slightly higher taxes to have good things like libraries. Charging for cards should be a non-starter. People (especially poor people) rely on them for the various services they provide.

[alarimer]

34. More important to actually USE the card.

While they do look at numbers like the total number of cards relative to local population, they also look at statistics like foot traffic and computer usage, as well as circulation numbers.

Our local library (I'm biased because my boyfriend works for them) also has subscriptions to Rosetta Stone and other educational materials, like Lynda.com.