GroshLink

In the State of Pennsylvania, we're still wrestling with our budget.* The state library system faces funding concerns, so much so that the local library which we most frequent, has chosen to close on Fridays during the month of August and may continue to do such in the fall to address financial concerns.  Here's a quote from a recent interview w/Governor Ed Rendell:

Question: So you think in the coming weeks, this stuff will start making an impact on real people beyond Harrisburg?

Rendell: There's no question. I just got off a phone call with the library board, and they understand what I did because the Senate budget cuts the library funding in half, and they understand that it's worth fighting to not make that happen, but they're going to feel the pinch in a few weeks. And of course, education, you know, some of the school districts are going to start feeling the pinch, so there's enough pressure points, no question about it. All Dwight Evans has to do is have a conference committee meet six days a week. Then believe me, there'll be a settlement because the last thing they want to do is be on television six days a week. -- Q&A with Gov. Ed Rendell on Pennsylvania's budget (The Patriot-News, 8/05/09)

Early last week I called the Governor's office in support of the public library system.  In addition, several members of our family shared quotes highlighting the value of the library (follow the link at the top of Elizabethtown Public Library's page), see below.

The library means to me that I have a better chance of reading the books that I want than spending the money to buy them. I'll finish more books and have more of a choice of books to read. -- one of our girls

I've grown up taking advantage of the great opportunities provided by public libraries. Hour after hour, book after book at Middletown Library, then the Lancaster City library, then the Carnegie Libraries (in particular, Sewickley, Squirrel Hill, Oakland), and now Elizabethtown along with Milanof-Schock. As an individual, later a spouse, and now a husband/father, I have found the library as an incredible resource for myself, my marriage, and my four children (9 year old twins, 4 year old, 1 year old). While a youth, I read my science-fiction, detective, and historical book offerings. Later I added art and philosophy. Our family's pile of current check-outs include advice on child-rearing, graphic novels (The Last Night, Moby Dick, Through the Looking Glass), materials to prepare us for a wedding in the family (I'm in the Wedding, Texas dance styles video), videos for husband/wife. But we've had so much more out over the past couple months, including books for reading groups and gardening. Our family has an extensive personal library, but we can't afford or share all of these resources on our own. The public library is a great investment for individuals, families, and larger public good.

At Elizabethtown library, our family enjoys not just the books (and videos), but the extensive programming which encourages reading (along w/crafts and an understanding of the larger world), provides a coffeehouse to chat w/friends starting at an early hour, and hosts a model train show at Christmas time ... -- Tom

With decreasing state money will the members of local communities embrace the call to care for (and invest in one-another)?  Time for even more culture making by members of the Body of Christ.  In what ways can we be part of the rebirth of cultural institutions which we helped birth?

*Note: Gov. Ed Rendell signs partial budget, restoring employee pay. Rejoicing that state workers received part of their pay/backpay and will be receiving more in the coming days.  Praying for work for the 300-800 state employees who will loose jobs this week.