Ever so quietly, the volumes sit in orderly ranks on their shelves, never uttering a word of protest as access to their wisdom, humor, history and hope silently slips away.
All over the country, libraries are closing due to budget constraints. In Boston, on April 9th, they announced 4 branches shutting down (see www.boston.com). In Birmingham, Al., three branches went dark (see www.al.com).
Charlotte, NC, reluctantly closed 12 branches - losing 140 jobs and denying two million annual visitors a chance to reap the knowledge that waits patiently in the rows of now-stilled knowledge.
Indianapolis found the need to close six branches in Marion County, and announced their decision in May (see www.wishtv.com).
In this era when we MUST make "cuts," is this truly the way to go? Could we not forego just one Stealth Bomber, at a cost of $1-billion each (estimated in 1997 - heaven knows what it costs today!)
One billion dollars would likely keep every one of these libraries open. Do we have our priorities straight?
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