Why Issue 7 and Our Libraries Are Important

I know we usually discuss social media on Tuesdays and I try to keep politics out of the blog as much as possible, so I thought I'd touch on something important and social an ...contains media and is relatively void of politics.

I recall, as a child, some of the best weekends in memory included a bike ride to the park, running around with my siblings and parents, and following that up with a ride over to the nearest library branch. I would get lost in the rows of books, the expanse of knowledge, and that slightly musty smell of age and wisdom. My love of reading and knowledge carried into adulthood and I can still get lost for hours in a book store or library, and my daughter now enjoys all that the library has to offer.

But they're in trouble.

1. Why does the Library need to go on the ballot now?

The Library has seen a 28% reduction in State funding since 2001 which will cause a deficit of over $16 million by the end of 2009. Without new funding the Library will be forced to make dramatic cuts including closing branches, cutting services, and hours.

A reduction in services will affect thousands of individuals who rely on our Library system every single day for important services such as job placement, homework help, children's programming, and at home services for the homebound and elderly. Although the economy has taken a downturn, the need for these services has not decreased, but only increased dramatically as we have seen circulation numbers hit all-time highs in 2008 and record numbers at the beginning of 2009.

They do not receive any city or state funding. This levy will cost $2.50 a month for every $100,000 of value of your home. And between the books, internet access, and a generally stunning DVD collection, you can't beat it.

You can see their FAQs here, but one of the things that is not always forthcoming is that if it does not pass, branches will begin closing on December 1st.

If you live in a county that has a library levy on the ballot, please vote for it, and keep a tradition and priceless resource alive.

Because as Robot Chicken reminds us...