Lehigh Valley libraries brace for cuts

I think funding of libraries basic functions should be one of the very last things cut in the budget. Who uses the library? Is it the permanent welfare-class many of us resent and complain about? Nope. The people I see there are using the computers because they generally lack access at home. They are getting books or doing some job research. In my opinion, this is exactly the behavior we should be encouraging, not cutting.

Gov. Rendell wants the people of the Lehigh Valley ignorant, so the illiterate children of today will be future clients in his casinos of tomorrow.If you don't have an education then you won't know how to fight for your rights!!Fear and ignorance means easy manipulation from the government and sleazy politicians.

angry mom wrote:

Gov. Rendell wants the people of the Lehigh Valley ignorant, so the illiterate children of today will be future clients in his casinos of tomorrow.If you don't have an education then you won't know how to fight for your rights!!Fear and ignorance means easy manipulation from the government and sleazy politicians.

Its the REPUBLICANS that want to cut funding!

cut programs and essential services everywhere. dont ever fire people or lay them off until things pick up-the unions wont have it.

Demo wrote:

<quoted text>
Its the REPUBLICANS that want to cut funding!

Where can I read more about the GOP being behind these cuts? I take it that you have the facts.

Public libraries are an important part of our infrastructure to our society whereby anyone can join or just go into and enjoy its benefits and be part our community. The library is a protection of our rights by them being a institution of uncensorship and allowing the citizenship a place to go to enjoy those freedoms without any segregation. This might be a good time for us to celebrate the Fourth of July by excersing our freedom of speech by protesting to our state representatives the need of our Pulic Libaries to continue to be the beacon of freedom in all its aspects.

People voted for a Democratic Congress and President, also, a Democratic Governor, let's blame them, let's take the proceeds from the Bethlehem Sands and use it for the libraries instead of giving the politicians' raises.

I remember my Mom taking my sisters and me to the library every week during the summer when we were kids. We would fill up grocery bags full of books and read away. I did the same with my daughter and may family still enjoys going there to get books, movies, find out about neat stuff, etc. Libraries are a wonderful place. The government needs to figure out how to get it done without hurting them.

Anyone ever hear of/see the movie Idiocracy? It's happening folks.

Why can't he public use school libraries? We certainly pay through the nose for them. We pay for the public libraries too! There should be a library cut. Northampton Library, for example, sits across the parking lot from the library at Northampton high school. Why notconsolidate high school, middle school and public libraries? Look at the college libraries around here. There are many? If you stop and think about it, we have too many and who can and cannot use them should be re-thought. As far as these dinkly little libraries like Coplay, Catasauqua, etc., close them down and/or consolidate them. Just because they have "always been there" is no reason to keep them running when it isn't cost effective.

Gov. Rendell should cut his pay! He can't make the budget, all big businesses are leaving PA, why? And keeps raises taxes to make ends meet? Here's a thought, provide incentitives to keep businesses in PA. Ever wonder why so many companies are leaving PA and heading south? My children and I go to the local library at least twice a month, to check out books, and movies. The libary is more than a source of information, it is time for parents to find books they enjoyed as a child and share with their child, to do research, get access to the internet, etc. Libraries and education should not be cut because Rendell can make the budget work. This is our children's future!

Consolidate wrote:

...As far as these dinkly little libraries like Coplay, Catasauqua, etc., close them down and/or consolidate them. Just because they have "always been there" is no reason to keep them running when it isn't cost effective.

I've visited the Coplay, and Catasuaqua Libarries along with big libraries, colleges, Easton, Palmer, Parkland, and Allentown. I prefer the smaller libaries, they usually have more activities for children, and provide a more relaxed atmosephere for the children to look at and check out books. Both of my kids got their first libary cards at the smaller libraries, and when they are looking for a special book, the libarian remembers them and helps them find a book that they loved. I'm not say this doesn't happen at the bigger libaries I'm just stating my kids are more comfortable with the smaller ones. And most of the smaller ones raise the funds within their community and don't relay on State Funding as much as the larger ones do. IF the smaller ones are self-sufficient why close them?

I am at Allentown Public every two weeks. PA Access gives me the ability me to use Easton/Bethlehem libraries. And, I do. It would be a shame to lose this opportunity.

Libraries provide a service beyond books. Allentown Public Library was the first place I went when I moved to PA. It is community outreach at its most basic.

And yet...Parkland just announced that its library would carry video games for the Playstation 3 and Wii. I would cut funding for that, definitley. I am sure those will go the way of a lot of the more popular DVDs and CDs.(Listed as Lost in the directory.)

I like books, they are important... but feeding people and educating our kids is more important. Consolidation won't end reading.

How long did the Dems thing we could keep supporting a welfare culture before it started to pull funds away from other things???

Consolidate wrote:

Why can't he public use school libraries? We certainly pay through the nose for them. We pay for the public libraries too! There should be a library cut. Northampton Library, for example, sits across the parking lot from the library at Northampton high school. Why notconsolidate high school, middle school and public libraries? Look at the college libraries around here. There are many? If you stop and think about it, we have too many and who can and cannot use them should be re-thought. As far as these dinkly little libraries like Coplay, Catasauqua, etc., close them down and/or consolidate them. Just because they have "always been there" is no reason to keep them running when it isn't cost effective.

I think if you visit almost any community you will find public libraries still in their original buildings with decor of their time. it would appear to me that frugality has always been a source for concern for all public libraries and that is not a bad thing. They seem to have always worked within their budgets and i would think they will continue to do so. Their not asking for increases of funds their asking to maintain services with what they have now. Each community should pull together to support their local library from the colidation of government representation.

Have you ever been to either of these libraries obviously not but your ignorant comment. These libraries, especially in the summer are used very hard. If you need to raise my taxes to support public libraries fine. Children in the summer walk to THESE libraries to get books to read and to participate in programs. Maybe that doesn't happen in Bethlehem. You should try it, it's great.

Consolidate wrote:

Why can't he public use school libraries? We certainly pay through the nose for them. We pay for the public libraries too! There should be a library cut. Northampton Library, for example, sits across the parking lot from the library at Northampton high school. Why notconsolidate high school, middle school and public libraries? Look at the college libraries around here. There are many? If you stop and think about it, we have too many and who can and cannot use them should be re-thought. As far as these dinkly little libraries like Coplay, Catasauqua, etc., close them down and/or consolidate them. Just because they have "always been there" is no reason to keep them running when it isn't cost effective.

Clearly you haven't been to many community libraries. Frugality doe not seem to be a concern for the libaries that I've visited. I had not seen the Wii and Playstation games but I have seen the free DVD rentals. I've also seen that many libraries have decided not to house many of the literary classics. They have chosen instead to use the space for internet ready computers.

jeff a wrote:

<quoted text>
I think if you visit almost any community you will find public libraries still in their original buildings with decor of their time. it would appear to me that frugality has always been a source for concern for all public libraries and that is not a bad thing. They seem to have always worked within their budgets and i would think they will continue to do so. Their not asking for increases of funds their asking to maintain services with what they have now. Each community should pull together to support their local library from the colidation of government representation.

Demo wrote:

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Its the REPUBLICANS that want to cut funding!

Alright, then all the DEMOCRATS can pay to keep the same level of funding through a higher personal income tax.

MAYBE Mr. OHbama could knock off his DATE NIGHTS, planes, entourages, over-the-top dining and RIDICULOUS expenses for TWO people ++++ 20 more for the ride. MAYBE our children of America could have a damned library to grow up with and live with books and learning tools instead of the OHbama way of life. Give America back to the CHILDREN, who do GROW UP to use their skills in better ways rather than DATE NITE S---. Two people versus LIBRARY $$$$- There is NO QUESTION of this OUTRAGEOUS FUNDING question!!!!

tmt wrote:

Clearly you haven't been to many community libraries. Frugality doe not seem to be a concern for the libaries that I've visited. I had not seen the Wii and Playstation games but I have seen the free DVD rentals. I've also seen that many libraries have decided not to house many of the literary classics. They have chosen instead to use the space for internet ready computers.<quoted text>

dispite your unhappiness with the libraries that you have visited it appears that you still reap there offerings.