Whatever Happened to the Libraries?

It was a wonderful library, in a state not noted for particularly good government services. It was so wonderful that teachers would supply their students with books from that library that the school budget could not afford.


It's true that their Board of Directors was always struggling to try to find funds to try to raise staff salaries to something that wasn't totally shameful. Maybe the computer services at some of its branches lagged behind the times.


But, oh, you could get pretty much any book you wanted from that library! If it was a new book, they would buy it, and if it wasn't a new book, they would get it from this fabulous network of libraries outside of their own library system.


Then the cutbacks came. First came hiring, because people are always the most expendable part of any business in this country. And the library patrons were nice about it if the subject came up, but many of them basically thought that that just meant the library could get along with more volunteers. You can't blame the public for not having any idea how much very detailed work goes into putting many thousands of books into the community. They have never had to think about the very personal service they receive from this wonderful library.

When that wasn't enough, the book budget was cut. Now a library that could get just about anything in print, has to make more hard choices about what good books to purchase, and what to leave behind. And how many copies of best-sellers and school reading list books and notable books to provide.

Programs were cut, both for children and adult. Libraries have always had to beg for donations for public programming, but now that donors were suffering from a failed economy, donations are fewer. So the library will stretch its programs and be more creative, some of which is good, but with fewer staff it will be an uphill battle.

And then there were charges for things that once were free, like getting books from other far-away libraries. And there were higher fines, and more rules about paying the fines. So (and this is hard for us to believe, but it is true), some people will stop using some of the services, and some people will stop coming to the library altogether. We still think of it as a public library though, because as long as people bring their books back on time and don't ask for special services, it is still free to anyone who lives there.

But then, when that isn't enough, what could happen? The following have happened all over the country, and could eventually happen to that wonderful library:

Hours are cut, some branches closed. Some services are cut out entirely. Still, it's still a free (public) library. Anyone can use it, provided they can get to a branch that's open, when it's open.

All services would carry a charge. That's right, books would be "rented", not borrowed. At which point, it is really no longer a public library. If you can afford it, you can use it.

And that is what some people believe we should do with our libraries after all.

We live in a place where many people believe there should be no free government services. The governor of this poor state believes that the Haves have the wealth because the Lord meant it to be that way, and his priority cutting taxes for big business while selling out the children of the state.

It saddens me to see damage done to this wonderful library. The libraries in this country offer more to its people than any other institution. It is a bargain at any price, and more often than not run on a shoestring. Libraries are for everyone, and should be affordable to everyone. Those who have, need to support their communities, and libraries are the best way to do that. Literacy and creativity versus stagnation and depression, that is the choice.