Vibrant Libraries Make for Vibrant Communities

There’s an op-ed piece in the Daily Item (PA) about how significant increases in funding can’t completely make up for decades of fiscal neglect sufered by libraries in Pennsylvania. “Libraries are a critical component in the quality-of-life equation. Vibrant libraries make for vibrant communities, and, in turn, help to attract and retain upwardly mobile families and the businesses that rely on them. If [Pennsylvania’s]local libraries are allowed to close or crumble, that will be one more strike against a state already beleaguered by a brain-drain problem. Read More.

July 21, 2004 by Uncategorized 4

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4 Responses

  1. leeb says:
    July 21, 2004 at 7:55 am

    The answer is closer to home…
    We all basically agree that healthy libraries are vital to a healthy community. Then why have libraries been (irresponsibly) fiscally neglected for decades by successive governments? The answer is closer to home than we realize. Maybe we neglected our collective responsibility to exercise our electoral duty to elect those that serve us best (or propose to). Many don’t even bother to turn up to vote on election day. Many people are more interested in watching sport and brainless shows like “Survivor”. We know that politics is not that interesting. But I am not saying anyone has to be a political activist or even go on a demonstration. I don’t even do that. That is just too much of a bother. I am just saying, just turn up and vote on election day, once every four years. Now, is that too hard? Then how can we expect those in government to have commitment and responsibility when the electorate don’t show any?

    Reply
  2. AshtabulaGuy says:
    July 21, 2004 at 8:07 am

    Being taken for granted
    It seems that libraries are taken for granted. It appears that the image exists that librarians just sit around all day, eat bon bons, and tear up ILL forms. Libraries cost big bucks. “Free libraries” are not necessarily free…just entirely taxpayer subsidized so everybody pays for it involuntarily.

    It is sad that many members of the public do not understand that little matter.

    Reply
  3. Eli says:
    July 21, 2004 at 6:26 pm

    Libraries and Community
    The funding porblem in PA is incredibly awful. In Philadelphia alone book purchases ceased in February, subscriptions to newspapers were cancelled and in general the libraries are in a terrible state. On the other hand isn’t it possible that legislators and politicians have their own complaints against libraries and how they serve the community. In Broomall, Pa. there was an ongoing dispute about borderline pornography in the form of materials purchased as well as a collection of sexually explicit manuals, promotion of gay life style etc. I have mentioned many times that the library needs to truly be a community place and family safe. As long as our colleagues insist on making the library a test case for pushing the envelope of collection development, then the polticians were react negatively. If one is politically adept they know how to read the political landscape and work within it. I am not saying to let the legislators dictate collection development and library operation, but I am suggesting that “PUBLIC LIBRARIES” should give the image of serving the entire public along with their sensitivies. Unfortunately, the image the libraries give are unrestrained, unsafe, access points to materials that many people find offensive and insulting to themselves and the community. You may all disagree and criticize what I am saying, that is your right. Part of our professional responsibility is to consider the totality of our readers. Remember they vote and lobby with state and local officials. Let get more politically aware and act accordingly. the funding you save may be your own.

    Reply
  4. leeb says:
    July 21, 2004 at 8:30 pm

    Re:The answer is closer to home…
    I think I touched a raw nerve here. Tell me if I am wrong, but we can’t expect the government to deliver on libraries and other things when we don’t fully participate in the democratic process.

    Reply

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