Branch libraries closing?

[Dog Walker]

Everyone,  there will be volunteers at RAM tomorrow with straw ballot petitions for a separate tax for the libraries.

Please sign!

[smeeeth]

The list is out.....

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-06-14/story/six-jacksonville-libraries-could-shutter-under-plan-find-24-million-cuts

Unfortunately I somehow knew that Willowbranch would be on this list.

[Dog Walker]

Thanks for the find, Smeeeth.

Willowbranch was the very first branch library too.

[thelakelander]

Branches on the chopping block:

Maxville
Brentwood
San Marco
Willowbranch
University Park
Beaches

[Tacachale]

What's the story with Willowbranch?

[Dog Walker]

One of those slated to be closed if the Mayor's budget is approved.

[urbaknight]

Well you know what they say, "Knowledge is power." That's why the schools and libraries are "always" on the chopping block. Those Goddamn good ol boys don't want average people to have it, because they're afraid to lose their power.

Believe you me, they send their kids to provate schools which have their own libraries. So their kids probably don't even have to use the public libraries.

And even if and when "the chickens come home to roost", those responsible for this will still have the power and money to save themselves. There will be no room for, I told you so's. Because we'll be fucked and the GOB will still win somehow!!!

[KenFSU]

Just as not everyone 100 years ago could afford a personal library of expensive hardcover books and magazine subscriptions, not everyone today can afford the expensive paraphernalia required to access online sources. The technology has changed but the need and usefulness of a public library hasn't. Additionally, many books are only available in the time-tested dead-tree format, and libraries offer other services beyond just the books themselves.

Completely agree, but I also think the traditional library has a lot of evolving to do as well. With hours being cut, then full days being eliminated, and now entire branches potentially closing, I think its a great opportunity for our entire local library system to evaluate what its goal is, and how it can most efficiently get there. If the aim is to level the playing field for those without the resources to access information privately, as it should largely be, there's a lot of fat that can be trimmed. There's no reason that every library needs to be a mini-Blockbuster video or Virgin Megastore. I'm sure someone could argue that there is educational or cultural merit in stocking Napolean Dynamite or Metallica's Black Album, but it certainly isn't a necessity. Nor is spending precious time and resources stocking the newest Glamour, People, or Sports Illustrated Magazines. There's no reason to spend shelf space across a dozen different libraries on obsolete nonsense like Windows 95 for Dummies, or Introduction to Adobe Professional 2.0. Run some sort of check-out analysis, warehouse one or two copies of anything that hasn't been checked out in the last year to be reserved online, sell off the excess, and hopefully reduce your overhead a bit. Require a credit card number or small, affordable deposit ($5 maybe) before books can be checked out, and aggressively pursue those who abuse the system. There's no reason every library in town shouldn't have a small cafe, possibly staffed by volunteers, selling high margin items like coffee or store-bought Sam's Club pastries. Begin digitizing the microfiche rolls, paving the way for the eventual removal of the massive, costly, problematic machines. Blah blah blah. Love the library, don't want to see any branch go anywhere, but there's no reason it needs to be a relic of the 1950s either.

[Dog Walker]

Want to help?  You can help gather signatures on petitions for a vote to create a special taxing district for the libraries as so many other Florida cities have done to give them a dedicated and not politically controlled source of funding.

Contact
Email savejaxlibraries@gmail.com

Save Our Public Libraries, Inc.
P.O. Box 380057
Jacksonville, FL 32205-0557

Volunteers may contact: Helene Kamps-Stewart at 904-571-2716 John Hall
at 904-384-8338

[fieldafm]

Everyone,  there will be volunteers at RAM tomorrow with straw ballot petitions for a separate tax for the libraries.

Please sign!

Paul, those same volunteers are MORE than welcome at our food truck rally tomorrow at Burrito Gallery 6-10pm. 

[fsquid]

Surprised at the San Marco one, pretty high income area of town.

[tufsu1]

Thats why it is on there....scare tactic to rile the public up

[Charles Hunter]

University Park is an interesting choice, too.  That's where the Friends of the Library have their book warehouse and store.  Same people (well some of them) as behind the petition drive.

[JayBird]

I had to agree with the first comment posted below the article:

Cowford Express   
06/14/13 - 01:24 pm 55

Here we go again. The annual ritual where our Mayor and Council threaten the public with Library and fire station closings in a political game to see who blinks first.
Then as always, the money will magically appear as it is revealed there was money hidden when in all actuality, this city is flush with money.
All this just so they can look like they saved valued services and gain potential votes. And the TU plays right along in the game of fear.
To the mayor and city council------Stop planning your next election move and be professional about the budget. If taxes need to be raised from their archaic level, man up and do it.
How about for every fire station or library closing, we assess a $3,000 penalty each on the salaries of the Mayor, his staff, and the council??? I would bet the budget wouldn't be a problem at all.
Is anyone else sick of the charade??
P.S. Don't forget to blame the dreaded "Public Employee Costs" as well. Anyone and everything except yourselves.

[Dog Walker]

Everyone,  there will be volunteers at RAM tomorrow with straw ballot petitions for a separate tax for the libraries.

Please sign!

Paul, those same volunteers are MORE than welcome at our food truck rally tomorrow at Burrito Gallery 6-10pm. 

Mike,  Thanks for the invite.  I'll pass it on and come myself. 

Let's make sure the politicians can't continue playing politics with the libraries.  They are too important. (The libraries, not the politicians!)