Ohio libraries today are operating on the same amount of funding from the state that they received in 1996. That means there has been no increase in help from the state for 13 years. Historically, in difficult economic times, the library's use and importance to the community has increased. This is true today.
People turn to the library especially for education and entertainment, socializing and networking. Libraries provide computer classes, free use of computers, and internet searches to help find a job. They provide free entertainment for the whole family. For kids there is the legendary storytime, craft sessions, fun ways to learn about anything (the community, the space program, our country's history and much more). One of the best programs provided is the Paws to Read program, where children who may be too shy or embarrassed, or may not have the best reading skills, read to dogs who come in to the library and are happy to listen without criticizing. I know this program works -- I was taught to read by our Airedale Terry too many years ago to remember.
For teens, libraries provide reading clubs, writing clubs, and a place for tutoring for those who need help in school, in addition to crafts and other activities. A librarian can recommend a good read for the beach, or a movie the whole family can enjoy. And then there are all the programs for adults -- computer classes, book clubs, knitting classes, informative lectures, even meet the author nights. You can even check out a book or two or borrow a movie for free. And libraries provide meeting rooms for scouts, blood drives, senior citizens and many other groups who need a place to assemble.
In view of all of these services of the libraries, it would seem to me that the funding for these institutions should be at least maintained at present levels, not cut in half. Maybe the Governor thinks he can propose this 50% cut now, get everyone all upset about it, then say he is bending to the will of the people and only making a 20% cut in library funding. He wouldn't do that, would he?
The following quote is from the State of Ohio's internet page called "Ohio's Future":
"Free libraries maintained by the people are cradles of democracy, and their spread can never fail to extend and
strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen and the royalty of man. They are emphatically fruits of
the true American ideal.” -Andrew Carnegie at the 1903 dedication of the Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C.
I love libraries. When I was young living on fifth street in Fairport I would go to the library...no matter how much snow or how hot. and read. I read Plato and Kon Tiki, Lord Jim and god only knows. This was my entertainment and my joy...I relish those days.
ReplyDeleteThe world is different now...believe me I know. We have shifted back to the basics of Malthusian Hyerarchy. People now are concerned with housing and feeding. the school system must be maintained. We have to make some very hard choices.
Freinds, the choices are not good. I have worked with the best think tanks. We must excelerate aggragate demand. Even then, the world we new is gone. The game has changed.
We must not forget our civility. People must become the most important asset of our country. No matter their level or education...we must provide for our own.
Thanks, Tom. Too often we forget about the human side of life. We are all too sure that only we are right; to heck with the other person and his opinion. We must find a way to include all sides of a discussion. We must find a way to educate all people, even if it means that they think differently from the way I think they should.
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