Sign of the Times: Philadelphia’s Public Library to Close

How sad that the Philadelphia Library and its affiliate branches will be forced to close. Do the members of City administration understand what a loss that would be to communities ? Do they understand what contributions are made by the libraries ? Regretably, I sense not. For some reason, the City would rather pump its lean supply of cash into a sports arena or some other less than valuable high ticket package. Gone are the days when reading is seen as important

Given the poor education our young people are getting in schools, particularly in English, grammar, and critical thinking it isn’t surprising that they don’t frequent libraries as much as they should. With Ipods and Game Boys and such, why should they read and learn to undertand things? They are dumbing themselves down. Besides, few could sit down and go through a book even if they might understand the words. There are too many mind-numbing things that they can do, such as learning to say “like”, “you know”, and “I mean” every few words and to wear their caps backwards. Does that ever show their serious nature. I hope that they like working all their lives at a fast food restaurant or holding highway Go and Stop signs because that’s all that some will be able to do. This assumes that there will be places to work after 3 more years of this Congress and President. We better go to the library and learn Chinese and Farsi.

Whomever is making this rash decision is NOT thinking. Soon winter will be upon us, everyone does NOT have Internet access and/ or Cable. The Poor, Students and those underemplyed as well as unemployed will flock to the library system for its services.
Whether it be Job Search, Escape from a Depression economy or perhaps just refuge.
Going to the Library is cheaper then going to the movies!
Don’t allow this to happen to your community!

The question is “people of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania – What are you goint to do about it?”

It’s not that reading is going down in communities. It’s that it’s switching formats. I read all of my news online now and I’m certainly not alone there. It is a growing trend. Maybe Philadelphia should invest in a more state of the art library which focuses more on digital media and services.

How sad for Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is more interested in its sports teams and playing fields than in its libraries.
A sad state of affairs… and don’t we wish Ben could see this now!!

It is infuriating to live in the only state in the nation that has not agreed upon a budget for the upcoming year. Why is cutting social services the first thing on the chopping block? Taxpayers are at the mercy of elected officials, and thousands are waiting in the dark to find out if their jobs will end in a few weeks. (To say nothing of the devastating effect further cuts will have on our residents). What can we do until a decision is reached by politicians?

I agree with Bill in Knoxville – hand it over to Republican Private Business and keep the no rent entitlement it will tprosper and soo be able to pay rent also.
As for kids Bill expects to use library so they learn enough for a Job other than stop go sign and fast food services. Most coulldn’t read to comprehend even if they tried and a whole book needs far too much concerntration and repeat visits.
Good Luck America
PS Yes better learn Chinese or Fasi

This is most disturbing news. Philadelphia’s leaders must reconsider their priorities. Responsible communities appreciate the value of a literate citizenry and promote life-long learning. Libraries provide educational opportunities & wholesome recreation for people of all ages and from all walks of life.

The mayor and city council are well aware of what a devastating loss this will be for the city. Unfortunately, their hands are tied by state laws, and the state legislature seems to derive great pleasure from holding the city hostage. By law, the city must pass a balanced budget, and, while they have completed a budget that is balanced and will allow for the libraries to remain open, it depends on two very key components: A temporary 1% sales tax increase and a temporary reduction in pension fund payments. Unfortunately, again, these changes require state approval. The city has made it clear that, absent state approval of their proposed budget changes, they will be forced to go with the secondary “doomsday” budget will includes closing libraries and various other very troubling budget cuts that are discussed in this article. There simply is no money for them. All the state legislature needs to do is vote to allow the city to raise the sales tax if it so desires, nothing more. Now, we can debate if raising the sales tax is good policy (and, in the long run, it is almost certainly not), but the city government is perfectly capable of weighing the pluses and minuses and making a decision. Instead, the state legislature is toying with them and with peoples’ lives. I hate playing the race card, but I can’t help but notice that, while Philadelphia is largely poor, minority and Democratic, much of the rest of Pennsylvania is rural, Republican and lily white, and it is legislators from these areas that dominate the legislature. I suspect if libraries in Altoona, Punxatawny, and/or State College were in danger of being closed and local police were in danger of being cut, they’d find a way to schedule a vote.

I used the Free Library of Philadephia in the early 1960s: impressive building and fine facilities: something Ben Franklin, its most citizen in the formative years of the Republic, would have been proud of. I think (and certainly hope) that the outrage over the closure of this and other libraries in the city will be so great that most of them will not remain closed long. Public libraries are the university of the self-educated, an impressive class. Sometimes they are the daytime home of those who, for one reason or another, do not quite fit in.

lay off 3,000 unwanted “domestic disturbance” unfit mentally ill “protection order” tattooed nicotene-dependant “gun control” liberal law enforcement officers and extend the hours of library opperations.
keep the good social programs and terminate the parasites.

This same thing is happening in Omaha – the city is building a new baseball stadium, but closing library branches, laying off park workers and raising property taxes. Thanksfully an anonymous donor stepped in to fund the libraries for the near future.

Buck up, Philadelphia! In my small community in southern Oregon, hard times hit earlier and harder, and we “lost” our library 2 years ago. You could no longer check out Zane Grey in the very place he wrote his stuff..but after the “Oh Woe is us!” and “How shortsighted the powers-that-be,” we rolled up our sleeves, formed a broad-based non-profit, raised money, and REOPENED the system, and will in a few months have ALL our branches open. If we can do this in li’l ol’ Josephine County, Oregon (Grants Pass), you can do it Philly.

I would be a different person today without those books I borrowed from the Philadelphia libraries. Rethink your priorities!!!