The sound of libraries suffocating
The bodies of dead public programs and eviscerated social services litter the American landscape like casualties of a brutal war. It seems, at times, as though the Great Recession is systematically wiping out institutions that were generations in the making.
The sound of far-right idiots ranting
Go to the article above, and click over to read the comments. While they are really looking for any excuse to bash the POTUS and likely do this on just about any articles they read, they also bash libraries. Witness some of their crazy talk:
“Here’s my take on our local library. It was built to cater to the future needs of our illegal alien population (all part of the Downtown Specific Plan). When entering the library, one is immediately confronted with signs in Spanish. There are oodles of books, pamphlets, movies, etc. all in Spanish. But, guess what folks? The vast majority of our resident illegals have less than a fifth grade education and most are illiterate in their native tongue? How does that grab you?”
But wait, there’s more:
“The libraries have also overstepped their bounds. Why are offering music, games and entertainment videos? Why are they offering free computers?
As some libraries you can check out a painting or a print and take it home and hang it over Thanksgiving and impress your relatives and then take it back.
I know the answer to all of these questions. We are doing these things for the poor that can not afford the service for themselves. And there in lies the problem. It just never works.”
It’s true that some folks like this will never listen to reason & change their minds. It’s also true that those of us in this field have a loooooong way to go educating the public about our mission & value.