ALA seeks funding to help libraries weather the economic storm

LibrarianInBlack: ALA seeks funding to help libraries weather the economic storm

Oh, the cockles of my heart felt so warm when I read this! For once, ALA came out slugging on the right thing at the same time. LiB is a tab on my work home page, but I seldom get to visit. Fortunately, a little flashes by. However nice the sentiment, it is old news. October 29.

ALA | American Libraries - Branch Closings and Budget Cuts Threaten Libraries Nationwide

On November 7,

Despite President-elect Barack Obama’s November 7 call for a “stimulus package sooner rather than later,” relief may have to wait until the 111th Congress takes office. Rep. Hoyer said in The Hill November 7 that the Bush administration has balked at some proposals, and “Clearly there’s no point in us doing something if the administration is going to take the position that they’re not going to sign something.”

So now, my cockles are chilly again. No help coming our way?

Meanwhile, the San Diego closure plan is hitting some snags with City Council. They say its not in accordance with the library's actual current plan--they want a six-month moratorium on closings until the library gets its plans in order. One thing I can't find in a news story, but it's from a trusted source. The local City Council representative attended a protest against the closing of the Ocean Beach library. I guess we'll see how powerful he is!

hotchpotch watch

Bad days in libraryland:

Seven libraries to close in San Diego
Sorry that link will die in a few days.

Eleven libraries to close in Philadelphia
That one, too.

Largest library closure in U.S. looms
I think this one stays?

OK, we all are going to have to make sacrifices, due to some bad decisions made by people who made bad decisions.

OK, I'll give up some of my indulgences. But why are libraries on the block sooo quickly? One day after the election of a guy who seems like he would like libraries.

Are libraries luxuries, indulgences? Did everyone miss that bit about public libraries being all about resource sharing? How many retirees have told me that the library has allowed them to keep up their reading and cut their costs. Call me a socialist. Let's raise taxes, shrink the military budget, fund education.

Oh, so sorry, we need another stimulus package to help banks' balances, pay off our credit cards, or the rent or the groceries. Stimulating the mind is just out. I'll just keep reading escapist fluff and not think about it.

Except I do think about it. I know real estate and building have already taken a hit. I know there are layoffs coming in the auto industry, retail, the indulgence industries. I have just been through this "libraries are the fat in the budget" dance so many times.

I know some would say we have not made a meaningful case for our existence. I think we have, with every toddler story hour and book discussion group, the video games for all ages, the catalogs full of dear books, DVDs and downloadable audio books, the wifi access, the public internet access with printers that work reliably. Do we really need to limit that access now?

I've looked at the lists of libraries that may be closed. Some of those neighborhoods don't have another option. There will be hearings and speeches, rallies, and email campaigns in the next few weeks. Let's see if the politicians can suck it up, raise taxes even, and if we can continue to make bad times better with good libraries. Jejune?