Comments on: Let’s Hear It for Libraries

By: Christina W.

Christina W. — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:47:28 +0000

I used to hang out at the Venice Library all the time! That was the go-to place for me and my friends after school, since it wasn’t too short a walk from Venice High School. I never volunteered there, although I should have, but I used to work in a public library for 3 1/2 years and now work in a college library.

It’s truly tragic how library funds are getting slashed. The reason I left the public library is that staff is being cut down as well as library hours, and fines are being raised as well. The loss of the courier position means they can no longer offer any holds on items. I’ve seen good friends lose their jobs, and others, like me, were forced to take part time or nothing. Florida libraries are being hit so hard, my fiance (who still works in the county library) and I are moving out of state. Right now they’re working on letting the patrons know that not only will libraries be cutting hours and some branchs closing, but there won’t be nearly as much new material because there simply is no money for it.

Communities thrive on libraries, especially in such economic times as these. We can only hope that our beloved libraries will find a resurgence in the near future!

By: Sara in AL

Sara in AL — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:25:25 +0000

Some of my favorite memories involve going to the library.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:45:35 +0000

I’m a library nerd — but I never had less than $10 in fines on my account! I’m terrible at returning things. Thats why I now work as a library aide at my University — they waive all fees for employees! Not to mention, shelving is a spectacular way of finding new reading material. I can’t imagine what I’d do without access to a decent library…

By: Valkyrie

Valkyrie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:49:31 +0000

As a kid, my Mom would take us to our local library -at least- twice a week. I’d proudly step up to the desk every time with a stack of books barely restrained between my fingertips and chin. I wish more people our age, (I’m 25), valued these worlds of wonder we call libraries. I still have my original library card stuck in my mirror.

@Lore: I loved the summer reading programs, too! I went through a second sheet more than once. For me, “Eau de Old Book” will always be right up there with chocolate chip cookies freshly out of the oven and summer thunderstorms.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:39:43 +0000

One of my fondest memories of using my public library was when I was a sixth grader and brought the Judy Blume book “Forever” up to the circulation desk to check out. This was back when the librarian or volunteer would take your PAPER library card and place it on the microfilm machine and click!, make a photo of your library card and the checkout card that was housed in an envelope inside the front cover of the book. I thought I was being so covert by acting non-chalant about taking out such a ‘grown-up’ book, but my librarian just casually checked out the book and said that she enjoyed this book as well and hoped I would too.

I guess that was the first of many fascinating encounters I’ve had with librarians throughout my life and perhaps was an added incentive to go to library school (MLIS, 1997) and to continue being a librarian to this day.

Even though I love buying books (to support fledgling and established writers alike), I too love having access to free literature & excellent society through my local public library, and I hope that Mr. Bradbury is able to help save this library. A few years ago, one of my neighborhood libraries caught on fire, and even though I was only working part-time, I didn’t hesitate to donate some of my hard-earned librarian income to help rebuild the library building and its collection. You never really realize how much of a presence your library is in your life until it’s not ready & waiting for you to come and visit it.

By: PhoneticLorin

PhoneticLorin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:25:48 +0000

Venice Represent! A few years ago in your/our hometown, there was a campaign to increase literacy, which included a propagation of bumper stickers declaring that “Venice Reads.” My cousin thoughtfully added “Good” to the end so that the whole sticker reads “Venice Reads Good.”

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:12:41 +0000

I love libraries. I still visit fairly frequently. But I’m disappointed that many libraries in my area seem to have strayed from their mission. Many libraries here in PA don’t stock most of the classic literature anymore but now have large collections of DVD’s CD’s and even Playstation3 and Wii games. I was surprised to find that my local library didn’t have a copy on hand of the Voltaire’s Candide but they did have the latest copy of the Twilight DVD.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:56:28 +0000

Libraries Rock – I couldn’t afford my reading habit if I didn’t belong to one! They’re green too – more than 1 person reads a newspaper before it is tossed away and books are also put to good use.
My pet peeve – people who highlight in library copies of travel guides as if it were their own.

By: david

david — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:19:20 +0000

ohh, to be that old man instead of the kid standing there next to greatness.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:10:02 +0000

I love the library. My grandfather and I used to go to the library every Tuesday and Thursday for most of my childhood.

I’ve brought my 2 year old son to the library once a week since he was a newborn, he loves looking at books and the librarian holds him while I browse (can’t complain there!).