ALL Public Libraries in Philadelphia to close October 2nd.

Free Library ^ | 9-11-09

[MNJohnnie]

In a perfect world you are correct.

We do not live in a perfect world.

In our imperfect world, we should focus on the achievable, not some hopelessly fantastic perfection.

In our imperfect world, City bureaucrats should not be allowed to screw over the needed to avoid having to make any changes in their corrupt patronage and empire building schemes

[GeronL]

5% cut across the board. 5% of city staff gone.

[happygrl]

Springfield Missouri

Did you know that President Truman, considered one of the better-read of our leaders, never went to college, but read every book in the Independence, Missouri library?

[Bigh4u2]

“City bureaucrats should not be allowed to screw over the needed to avoid having to make any changes in their corrupt patronage and empire building schemes”

True.

A ‘top down’ approach should be the way to go when it comes to cuts.

But, also not being in a perfect world, we all know that’s not going to happen.

[VanDeKoik]

The first “public” library started out like that:

“The Library Company of Philadelphia was founded in 1731 by
Benjamin Franklin... and a group of his friends (the Junto) as a means to settle arguments. The subscription library was born. A subscription library allowed individuals to buy “shares.” The money raised from the sale of shares went into buying more books. A member or shareholder then had rights to use the library. The Library Company
Library Company of Philadelphia”

The first The first publicly-funded library didnt open until 1833 in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

Of course it’s up to the various localities to decide if they want a library to be funded through tax monies or to have one at all. Philadelphia should consider the fact that their city cannot adequately fund theirs as a sign for a major down-sizing or a need to go private. Or maybe the city just doesn’t want one.

.

[PapaBear3625]

I’m sure every librarian at every one of PA’s libraries voted for 0. If they had voted conservative (had there been one to vote for, of course) they likely wouldn’t be having this problem. A conservative would’ve lowered personal and business taxes and we’d be mostly fully recovered by now, imo.

How much you want to bet that the civil-service-union librarians will continue to be paid while the libraries are "closed"?

[The Comedian]

But strangely enough, all the government bilingual sensitivity training staff will remain on the job.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[fatima]

They are going to lay off 1,000 police officers and over 200 firemen.

[GeronL]

Let me guess... no bureaucrats? No chair warmers? No desk jockeys? No Paper Pushers? No assistant assistants? No aides?

typical.

[boop]

The fat cat unionized city employees will get “furloughed”, but with full pay.

[layman]

programs to support small businesses and job seekers

We have these in my city. They're a joke. Job seekers are mailed a xerox of the want ads by a well dressed bureauocrat who has never found a job for anyone, except for the one he found for himself by virtue of the fact that he is related to a corrupt local politician.

[marsh2]

The mission of local government is to protect the general public health, safety and morals from threat of substantial injury. Libraries is not a part of that mission. Should be privately funded or through a special assessment district and not out of the General fund.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.