tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post1681387528438690635..comments2024-03-29T08:37:07.724-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: More than BooksJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-82799619181407318822012-07-03T23:45:05.238-04:002012-07-03T23:45:05.238-04:00You are right, EB, the "increase" is sim...You are right, EB, the "increase" is simply putting back a fraction of the money that was slashed from the budget in the first place. I work in a public library and see so many young families that cannot afford to buy books for their children. If there are no libraries, where do these poor kids get books? How do they become readers? Literacy skills start developing very young, before a child goes into school. Seems short sighted to me to cut library budgets and then pay more later in remediation costs for students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1114286257740870162012-07-03T17:28:21.069-04:002012-07-03T17:28:21.069-04:00Great story! I hadn't heard about the "Bo...Great story! I hadn't heard about the "Book Burning" hoax campaign. It just proves that words can be so powerful. Thank you for commenting.Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-45891960858682412532012-07-03T16:22:05.797-04:002012-07-03T16:22:05.797-04:00Did anyone hear about the "Book Burning"...Did anyone hear about the "Book Burning" campaign? <br /><br />Somewhere in the Midwest they were cutting the library totally.... Someone put up signs saying "Library closes on June 6th, Book Burning on June 8th." <br /><br />The Librarian and many others got up set thinking it was REAL.... People united and passed the Library Tax by a large margin...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-10522646487468198002012-07-03T13:37:37.092-04:002012-07-03T13:37:37.092-04:00I'm sure your librarian was thrilled when the ...I'm sure your librarian was thrilled when the library won the SinC grant, Gloria! That's a good reminder to share information about how to obtain one with our local libraries.Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-25005302378887387222012-07-03T11:47:13.933-04:002012-07-03T11:47:13.933-04:00Warren, I so agree with you. (Even if I've had...Warren, I so agree with you. (Even if I've had to go back 3 times to get your name right--wayward fingers!) It makes the best of sense to increase the libraries' hours and offerings in hard economic times. As if any of our politicos had good sense, however. :-(Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-46616639670973792232012-07-03T11:23:43.830-04:002012-07-03T11:23:43.830-04:00What a touching story. I heard a commentator on NP...What a touching story. I heard a commentator on NPR the other day, who was saying homelessness was up, but at the same time there's a rush to demolish empty houses. He said it didn't make sense. It is a strange world, isn't it?<br /><br />Our local libraries also cut back hours a few years ago eliminating one day a week and shortening other days. I'm not sure if they've restored any of the hours and staff or not. I know they've had levies passed something that's not happening much for schools.<br /><br />Several years ago, I told my local librarian about the Sinc grant for libraries. She checked it out, applied for it and won for August 2010. She was understandably ecstatic, and had the Tribune come out to take our picture together when I handed her the $1000 check.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-32869529284484752872012-07-03T11:21:31.598-04:002012-07-03T11:21:31.598-04:00I think that’s right, E.B., that the “increases” a...I think that’s right, E.B., that the “increases” are restoring hours that were cut. But whatever the motive, I’m happy about it. However, not everyone is pleased with the decision because they believe that there are better ways the money can be spent.<br /><br />You raise a good question, Linda. Where do young people hang out that is safe if they don’t have libraries? My friends and I went to libraries when we were young, too, not only for the books but because they held fun events.<br /><br />Warren, that’s very inspirational to hear how reading can help people (especially those who aren’t able to be in the world for whatever reason) imagine a different and better future.Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29211542132085780112012-07-03T10:38:34.045-04:002012-07-03T10:38:34.045-04:00It makes great sense in economically troubled time...It makes great sense in economically troubled times to increase the hours of libraries. One thing I did as a psychologist was to help a man released after serving his time in prison to get his library card back. Reading in prison helped him pass the time and imagine a future outside the institution. He was really happy to be able to use the library "back in the world."Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-38133840929728274162012-07-03T10:08:51.201-04:002012-07-03T10:08:51.201-04:00Kara, what a great story! Mary was certainly an in...Kara, what a great story! Mary was certainly an inspiration. Sadly, more and more women and families have fallen in that homeless pit out of which it's so hard to climb.<br /><br />Our library system was having budgets slashed and cutting back on hours before the financial crisis hit. I remember when I was a kid and the library was my sanctuary. Now in our city, libraries open 10-5 on Saturdays and 1-5 on Sundays. Some have a day a week closed.<br /><br />There are few places for young people to meet friends and chat evenings and weekends while being safe. The libraries were one. My friends and I used to gather there and read and share books, etc. Now, where will they go?Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-78512794085564731082012-07-03T09:39:25.364-04:002012-07-03T09:39:25.364-04:00Yes, I usually suggest titles to our librarian, bu...Yes, I usually suggest titles to our librarian, but the page now warns that the budget is stretched so not to expect much response. <br /><br />I bet those "increases" you are hearing about aren't really increases. They're restoring money and hours that were cut when the financial crisis struck the county, resulting from decreased property taxes.<br /><br />Loved the story. She must have been one smart lady not to let circumstance stop her.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.com