By NCF

October 22, 2010 10:32 AM | Link to this

I realize that you are trying to be sarcastic, Mike, but your snark has more truth to it than you’d like. The library system as it now stands is outdated, and the modern library has gone far afield of the mission and purpose of Ben Franklin’s original Library Company. Today’s library is a place for free entertainment, rather than free knowledge. Oh, sure, there are plenty of non-fiction and reference books, but the fictional works far outnumber those books of knowledge in items and lendings. If the library charged a pittance for the entertainment resources and kept the non-fiction & reference books free then the operation would not require increased public funding, and it would be, like Franklin’s Library Company, financially supported by its users. I also think that the library should pay royalties for books lent, in order to compensate the authors & publishers for the use of their copyrighted material just like the radio stations have to pay to broadcast music. But that’s a whole ‘nother discussion. If the local branch closed, I would see it as the beginning of the end for a dated system that rarely serves its once noble purpose.

By Mike

October 14, 2010 12:51 PM | Link to this

When it comes to libraries we should let the free market reign! Give running of the libraries over to some private enterprise………maybe KBR or Halliburton. Charge an admission to get into the library. Maybe a fixed rate per minute that you’re actually in there browsing, too. Then charge maybe a daily rate for checking out books, with hefty penalties for late returns. That way, those who want to use the library the most will be the ones who support its operation. If I don’t want my tax money spent on running libraries, I shouldn’t have to pay! That’s pure tyranny!! Libraries should be self sufficient, like any other business. If there’s not enough people using them who are willing to support their operation then they are not a viable enterprise in our democratic free-market system. If someone wants to use these libraries bad enough, they will find a way get the funds. Get a second job or something. If you can’t afford it, then that’s too bad. You’re just too lazy. For those sorry people maybe we could set up a “Library Emergency Service”, where, if they need a book, they can go there to get access to short synopses of the book, but not the whole thing. Something that gives a short summary of its contents without giving them all of the other information that hard-working people have to pay for. Of course, there would be long wait times there. And what you get would be less than satisfactory. But that’s what those lazy people get. They should be thankful they are allowed even this much grace from the rest of us. Then we can still puff up our chests, proudly wave our flags and say, “There is no library crisis in this country, everyone has access to library information. They always have the option of going to the Library Emergency Service. This country has the best Library Service in the world….bar none!!!”

By irishguy

October 13, 2010 10:28 PM | Link to this

The kids and I utilize the local library mostly in the summer, since the kids have access to the school library now. I’d certainly miss admiring the Centerville Library’s facsimile of the Book of Kells, what a treasure.

By C K

October 13, 2010 5:32 PM | Link to this

Instead of reducing the hours on one day each week, they could reduce the hours on all five week days and save tremendous amounts of money and keep all the branches open. The greatest operating cost is in salaries and fringe benefits, not in operating the buildings. Why do they not get it? They think their mission is to build an empire instead of provide a service.

By A

October 13, 2010 5:00 PM | Link to this

i dont never look at them bookz at the libarry i ownly play them interweb gamez on the computerz i wud b devistated

By Hi-Tech Hank

October 13, 2010 4:24 PM | Link to this

Technology has surpassed the library. Although it may still be a quiet place to think, read or gaze at old books.

By Amy

October 13, 2010 4:12 PM | Link to this

My kids and I will be very disappointed if the local branch closes. It’s only 2 blocks away, so we WALK to it quite often. We probably borrow HUNDREDS of books every year too. As selfish as it sounds, if we have to drive, we just won’t go as often.

By Common Sense

October 13, 2010 3:45 PM | Link to this

If they close the Burkhardt branch that would suck. It is used by a lot of people in that area and most are within walking distance and with young children. Not in favor of this at all.

By Joanie

October 13, 2010 3:27 PM | Link to this

I love the library and I love books. I can get information, sometimes accurate, sometimes not, from the Web. I use the library web site to search and reserve books, CDs and DVDs. But it would be a huge tragedy if the library closed. When the library in my town closed one day a week and reduced it’s hours because of money problems, the citizens held a big fund raiser and we made enough money to restore the hours to our library. That’s something Troy, Ohio can be proud of.

By Yahoo

October 13, 2010 2:25 PM | Link to this

I’ve got google, I’ve got BING, I dont do the library thing… Why fight through the drinks, winos and thieves to go to the library when I can get everything off the WEB and there is not late fee? I’ve got Google, it is free, no need to walk through pee…

By Skeptic

October 13, 2010 1:55 PM | Link to this

I hope everyone is thinking about this issue when they vote next month. If the Tea Party wins, you can expect more libraries and parks to close in your community. Closing libraries is one way to have a smaller government, right? It’s sort of like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

By truth in advertising

October 13, 2010 12:36 PM | Link to this

times are tough. what are they closing for? If it’s to keep schools or hospitals open, that’s one thing. If it’s to keep jails open, maybe they need to look at what a library does. Reminds me of that famous short film Closed Mondays about a museum and what happens when you close the true centers of learning….

By lmj

October 13, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this

Dave, I disagree with your assessment. I think many forget libraries, like schools, affect the value and desirability of homes. I know that one of the items I researched before moving to this part of Ohio was the library system and availability. I think whether people walk through the library portals or not - these decisions affect all of us. (I type this while sitting in my own library drumming up support for our levy.)

By J

October 13, 2010 11:23 AM | Link to this

If our branch closes, my children and I will not use the library as much. It is so convenient for us now and we know all of the library staff. The activities would be a big loss for children in the neighborhood as well if they can no longer walk or ride their bikes. I hope this does not come to pass.

By Dave

October 13, 2010 10:41 AM | Link to this

It would not affect me, but only because I have access to the UD library. If our local library closed when I was growing up, I would have considered that horrible.