so i can't go to the library anymore.

[nickfil]

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/closing/

apparently philadelphia's budget is in crisis, and they chose to shut down all libraries.

I always considered education to be the silver bullet of problems like crime and poverty. Philly is really only making these things worse, and they'll reap it in 10 years.

[Hobie-wan]

Ugh, admittedly most of my reading is online now, but losing libraries sucks.

[MrPopo]

Wow, seriously? When I was a kid I used to love going to the library and checking out new books. Now I just buy them instead, but that's messed up that they would close all the city's libraries.

[Xonticus]

Closing the libraries? what the hell is happening to society? If I wasnt so damned busy and actually had a day off, I would venture to the library... but then again is that the way our society is moving? For the sake of knowledge and information, libraries should not be shut down.

[Hobie-wan]

For the sake of knowledge and information, libraries should not be shut down.

Yeah, despite the fact I hardly ever go, libraries are a place I'm perfectly happy with some of my tax money going to.

[superlarz]

Yeah philly is a mess right now... too many bums being supported by the working man. And to keep supporting those people were are losing things that are valuable to the community.

[nickfil]

Wow, seriously? When I was a kid I used to love going to the library and checking out new books. Now I just buy them instead, but that's messed up that they would close all the city's libraries.

I think thats the key. Libraries probably cater to a very small demographic as far as adults go. Most adults buy and collect books they like or are interested in because it is pretty easy to get it on your kindle or just hit amazon and get the paperback for 10 bucks.

But kids, kids are a different story. I would say that inner city kids need it more than anyone else. The library not only offers books and knowledge but a quiet place to focus after school if you need that as well as after school activities and events to keep kids reading and learning. That is what philly is really giving up. Now who knows what kind of missed opportunities are drifting by for those kids because of it.

*also* in what i assume is a 'we need any solution' for the budget problem, philly is doing some other things that might disgust/titillate you. A) we have no money for libarys but we just put solar powered compacting trash cans on south street. B) another thing to get cut was snow removal. SNOW REMOVAL. C) we are trying to earn money by putting casinos in as quickly as possible (the community isn't really happy about this). Including putting slot machines in the mall. D) In what i hope is the city trying to get some hollywood money, TONY FUCKING DANZA is apparently going to be teaching public school for a reality show here in philly.

You know that alternate universe that is in back to the future where biff tannen takes over hill valley after using the sports almanac? I think that is where Philadelphia is going.

[Inazuma]

Libraries? What are those? Oh wait, I remember now. That's the place I had to go for school projects back when I was a kid. It's too bad they are shutting them down. I mean, what are today's school children going to use for their homework? It sure would be nice if they could get that same information in their own homes, like over a phone or cable line. Even better, it would be great if the home version was vastly superior to the library, making it totally worthless in comparison. Then the school kids wouldn't mind losing it. How unfair for the city to remove all traces of information like that. Now there is no way to learn anything.

Next thing you know they will stop selling VHS tapes at the store, making it totally impossible to watch any movies.

[nickfil]

Libraries? What are those? Oh wait, I remember now. That's the place I had to go for school projects back when I was a kid. It's too bad they are shutting them down. I mean, what are today's school children going to use for their homework? It sure would be nice if they could get that same information in their own homes, like over a phone or cable line. Even better, it would be great if the home version was vastly superior to the library, making it totally worthless in comparison. Then the school kids wouldn't mind losing it. How unfair for the city to remove all traces of information like that. Now there is no way to learn anything.Next thing you know they will stop selling VHS tapes at the store, making it totally impossible to watch any movies.

wow.

[Dylan]

Libraries? What are those? Oh wait, I remember now. That's the place I had to go for school projects back when I was a kid. It's too bad they are shutting them down. I mean, what are today's school children going to use for their homework? It sure would be nice if they could get that same information in their own homes, like over a phone or cable line. Even better, it would be great if the home version was vastly superior to the library, making it totally worthless in comparison. Then the school kids wouldn't mind losing it. How unfair for the city to remove all traces of information like that. Now there is no way to learn anything.

Next thing you know they will stop selling VHS tapes at the store, making it totally impossible to watch any movies.

Come on, you can make a point without being pejorative.

Are things really that bad? What really strikes me is multiple public services being cut, and the thing about the casinos is bizzare.