New Jersey City Prepares to Shut Down Library System
August 6th, 2010

Via: Philadelphia Enquirer:

Camden is preparing to permanently shut its library system by the end of the year, potentially leaving residents of the impoverished city among the few in the United States unable to borrow a library book free.

At an emotional but sparsely attended meeting of the library board Thursday, its president, Martin McKernan, said the city’s three libraries cannot stay open past Dec. 31 because of severe budget cuts by Mayor Dana L. Redd.

“It’s extraordinary, it’s appalling,” McKernan said.

All materials in the libraries would be donated, auctioned, stored, or destroyed. That includes 187,000 books, historical docuмents, artifacts, and electronic equipment. Keeping materials in the shuttered buildings is a fire hazard, officials said, and would make them vulnerable to vandalism and vermin.

“They don’t want to see our children grasp a future, but go down the toilet,” said Jean Kehner, who described herself as a Camden resident for 76 years.

Redd is facing a $28 million projected deficit stemming from reductions in state aid and a long-standing lack of taxable property. She is planning deep cuts in all departments, and she told McKernan last month that she would slash funding to the 105-year-old library system by about two-thirds.

Because not even one of the three libraries could stay open in 2011 on such limited support, all 21 employees would be laid off, McKernan said.

They should cut all of the funding to all of the libraries across the country, and put up little buildings like public phone booths where people can get on the internet and read just about anything on the planet... for free. And no late fees or damaged books. Cool, huh? Oh, and maybe have a special office for those nifty historical docuмents, or else scan them and put them online.

People in dirt-poor countries have been given public/free computers. What's taking us so long?

After the amount of tax payer money going into the city of Camden, there is no excuse for the library to close down.  

 :reading:  reading is books saves energy compared to online books  Reading books is better for health.  
Reading books  can overcome poverty.