A sad day in Buffalo, NY

[American liberal]

According to a member on another message board I belong to, libraries will close in her county Jan. 1, I'm assuming due to lack of funding. Here's the link, what she wrote, and my response:

http://forums.organicgardening.com/thread.jspa?threadID=19036&tstart=0

You can find it at the library if you're area has libraries. Believe it or not as of Jan 1 my county will not have libraries and possibly parks.
**************

Wow, jaemcats, if true, that statement chills me to the bone. It's a sad day indeed when state legislators can no longer keep the libraries open because of deficit-spending, warmongering federal legislators slashing all programs that have nothing to do with the haves having more. This is a sad day, indeed. I am so sorry for your community, jaemcats.

[Burma Jones]

1. The Internet is reducing the need for public libraries

Of course, a lot of people access the 'net at the library.........

What's needed here is a rethinking of how the local governments supply information resources.

[mcscajun]

7. Nope...the 'Net isn't reducing the need for public libraries...

...but it Does seem to be reducing the use of them.

Until the contents of the Library of Congress are available in hypertext/PDF/ebook format in their entirety...we will still need libraries. The Gutenberg Project can only go so far (public domain works only.)

Unless you have unlimited funds, borrowing books is still cheaper than buying them on Amazon.com
For students, reporters, and writers, over-reliance on 'Net sources can mean sloppy and inadequate research.
And yes, for folks who still either a) cannot afford internet connections and/or b) will just never 'get' how to use PCs -- the library is the place.

Besides, it's nice to curl up in a corner and actually read the printed word once in a while. :)

[Burma Jones]

10. Piffle, reducing the use of them IS reducing their need

Of course, I am looking at it from a techie side. I said reducing, not eliminating. Anyway, there's a lot of crap printed on paper as well. Most scholarly journals are available online, and educational institutions can purchase bulk access. Also, Google Scholar is now available.

By re-thinking, I mean that money currently spent for buildings will be better spent on actual information resources. I think K-12, as well as Community Colleges are going to have to take up the bulk of the public libraries' mission.

[American liberal]

12. But many scholarly journals make you pay for the info!

Please read the above link re: libraries vs. the 'net. Huge difference. As a student, writer, AND editor, I am extremely fortunate to have access to my school library's database at my fingertips. I use it all the time for my work and studies!

But the vast majority of people in the United States are not as privileged. The public library is where ANYBODY can go to expand their perspectives. I've done research at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago and am continually amazed at the mass of humanity that take advantage of its vast resources: students--from grade school to college age, working professionals, people who want to be working professionals, homeless people who come to read the daily paper and maybe take a nap away from the brutal elements...

There are many issues close to my heart: women's rights, civil rights, the First Amendment, repeal of the Patriot Act...but when people start talking about taking away the public library...well, it makes me see red! Keep your laws off my body and don't you dare take away our most important sources of our First Amendment rights!!!

[mcscajun]

15. There's more to libraries than scholarly journals...

...sometimes...it's just about having a book to read.
Needs vary...and you gotta put the books somewhere. Many of our K-12 facilities don't have enough room right now for the students, much less more books.

[shrike]

17. You won't find the good stuff on the 'Net

Trust me -- the historical societies, archives, antiquarian societies, and yes, even libraries are where serious research is done. A few years back at the Mass. Historical Society I stumbled upon a letter signed by three signers of the Declaration of Independence, complaining about the colonial militia; their living conditions, lack of professionalism, etc.; it was buried in a file of old family papers.

[American liberal]

8. I don't agree

The public library, founded by Benjamin Franklin in the 1700s, is here to stay.

http://www.geocities.com/onelibrarian.geo/here_to_stay.html

The public library is the ONE basic service that MUST be funded by the government. It is the foundation for free speech in this country.
The expansion of public libraries at the turn of the 20th century coincided with a cultural revolution.

http://www.theargonauts.info/Libraries.html

People seem to take libraries for granted. Imagine modern life without them. Free children's programs; a comprehensive listing of all sorts of media, not all of which are available (and likely never likely to be) on the Web; Internet access for available for free to the 40% of Americans who do not have a computer at home; free meeting rooms for political and cultural discussions, performances; reference librarians (real people who I have been grateful for time and again when working on a story or homework assignment) who specialize in finding information--I could go on and on.

I encourage those of you quick to dismiss the importance of the public library system to do a little research on your own to understand why libraries are essential to a free and democratic society. The thought of my tax dollars no longer going to support this bastion of democracy sends a chill to my very core.

Peace,
AL

[cheezus]

2. this looks like a job for a co-op

I'd bet you could round up a bunch of library patrons who would pay to be owner-customers of the local library

[phantom power]

3. if it's not happening yet, I predict it will, and not just in NY

This country is up to it's eyeballs in debt, at both the federal level and in most individual states. This country has been putting off the consequences by brute force of denial, but that only goes so far.

[chyjo]

4. I live in Erie County

This is a scare tactic by Joel Giambra to force a sales tax increase(which will probably pass and the libraries will remain open) rather than do the thing that makes more sense and raise property taxes.
They did the very same thing when I was a kid to raise the local sales tax a cent.

[American liberal]

6. thanks for the insight

[oneighty]

11. Chautauqua Co here.

This is pure out and out black mail by Giambra. Nothing more. Sales tax will increase no doubt.

Closer and closer we move to the "Everyman for himself society." It will not be pleasant when the have nots take it in mind to have.

180

[mondo joe]

5. I haven't lived in Buffalo for about 20 years - they said this then

I remember this talk about libraries even then.

[SaintLouisBlues]

9. Yesterday was a sad day in Buffalo, between this library thing

and the ass-kicking delivered to the Rams.

[baldguy]

13. Property tax in Erie Co is next to nothing.

I live in Kenmore. My house is assesed at $75K. My county property tax for the last year was $535. That's $7.13 per $1000.

Try and match that anywhere else in the country.

Giuambra can't see beyond the std GOP "taxes are bad" line, and he'll destroy all the social institutions in the county to prove it.

[AP]

16. Problem is, property tax is only born by individuals. Corps have all been

cut deals.

They should raise more revenue from property taxes...on business property!

[feminazi]

14. Salinas, CA also

i just read that this weekend. salinas is south of san jose. it's not a wealthy area so this will hurt a lot of poor kids.