Rep. Thomas Stanley has a compelling defense of library funding over at the Boston Globe.
Stanley: Protecting libraries from budget cuts
According to Stanley, he and 109 colleagues have signed a letter supporting an override of Governor Patrick's Deval's veto of state aid to regional public libraries, which reduces the amount of funding by 2.25 million.
Unfortunately, many agencies, groups and services in Massachusetts are facing funding cuts. Libraries aren't the only deserving group facing painful choices about budget cuts and service reductions. However, I have a sweet spot for the library and think many people don't realize the breadth of services and and programs libraries run. They do so much more than just check books out.
"Public libraries are important to our communities, especially in these tough fiscal times" Stanley notes.
Library services can include classes, English as a second language and even job training. Job hunters can search online for job postings and print out their resumes.
For more on libraries in tough times, I blogged about this topic months ago - Libraries in tough economic times.
I've tallied how much money the library has saved me this year (based on prices listed on Amazon):
Books I've read:
Elsie's Business - $17.95
Revenge of the Spellmans - $16.50
Curse of the Spellmans - $10.98
Hunting and Gathering - $16.00
The Help - $24.95
Books I'm reading:
The Man Who Ate the World: In Search of the Perfect Dinner - $15.00
Middlesex - $7.95
Total: $108.88
This list doesn't even include a few books that I just could not get through. Many of these books were also shipped to my library as part of library exchange program.
According to Stanley, more than 28,000 Waltham residents have library cards.
Do you?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Morsels: Library Funding
Monday, January 12, 2009
Libraries in tough economic times
I think we can all sadly agree that times are tough. But there’s still a place that’s free. It doesn’t cost to check out a book, read a magazine, surf the Web or work on your resume.
It’s the library.
According to the Boston Globe’s Derrick Jackson the Boston Public Library has seen a surge in visitors and activity.
“New library cards are up 32.7 percent from July to November of 2008, compared with the same period in 2007. Visits are up 13 percent, from 1.4 million visits to 1.6 million. Checkouts of books, CDs, and DVDs are up 7.2 percent overall over the last fiscal year. More telling is that checkouts have soared between 27 percent and 37 percent at the
The library is more than just books these days. Most libraries have tickets to museums, aquariums, etc. You can also take out music, movies and books on tape. My library has access to hundreds of other books and media at other libraries. There’s also a plethora of events geared towards families as well as activities like book club.
Unfortunately, many cities and towns constantly grapple with having enough financing to keep school and town libraries open/ fully functioning. When I was a reporter I saw too often the struggle towns went through to convince citizens that libraries are worth funding.
While many immediately understand the benefits of say police, fire or public works, the intangible benefits of a library can often be hard to understand. I think that libraries pay a crucial role in the community that can’t be underestimated. I’ve outlined a variety of services libraries offer, but most importantly they offer knowledge. There’s thousands of worlds in the library.
To quote a poem:
“Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!”
The library - a recession sanctuary - http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/03/the_library___a_recession_sanctuary/
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The library in tough times
I’ve written about my respect/ love of libraries. They are great resource for people from all walks of life. Over at the Consumerist today, there was a post about how the library is a great resource in tough times.
They are:
You can get pretty much any book at the library
Yes, we have movies
Kids Activities
Save Money and maybe your life!
Make new friends
Find a new job
Libraries listen to consumers!
The post touts that many libraries have inter-library loans, rent videos very cheaply ($1-2) or for fear and have a plethora of services and activities.
Many libraries also have passes to local attractions such as museums or aquariums.
So whether times are tough or you’re flush, the local library is a gem.
http://consumerist.com/5027723/7-ways-your-public-library-can-help-you-during-a-bad-economy
