The Buffalo News Reports my library is doomed. An unusually large number of local libraries, combined with budget woes, make one painful fact inevitable: Some will close. The budget crisis has made it clear the county can no longer afford 52 libraries – 15 in the city, 37 elsewhere in the county.
What is unclear is how many libraries it can maintain and which ones need to close.
“It’s going to hurt,” Library Director Michael C. Mahaney said. “It’s going to hurt to make these decisions that change the fabric of the community.”
Crane Library is the best
When my parents and their 5 kids moved, it was to a street that has the Crane Library at the corner. As soon as we could cross to the other side of our own small street, we could head to the library on our own. We were allowed only 6 books at a time, so I lived at that library. As I would leave, the librarian would sometimes call me over and tell me that one of my mother’s favourite mystery authors had a new book in and that she was saving it for her. Buffalo can never have too many libraries.