Every other country: Gee why does Finland have near perfect adult literacy?
Finland: we spend a ton of federal funds on public libraries.
US GOP: psst, we actually don’t want a literate populace
In America we couldn’t care less about education. We’re force fed lies about educators. We have a president who loves the uneducated. An uneducated populace is much easier to control. So it’s not getting better anytime soon. Lots of teachers voted for this. Go figure. Sorry
I just looked at the funding for my small library in my red rural area.
It turns out they get 10% of their funding from the Feds.
I wonder if the 2/3 of the voters who voter for Trump realize that they voted to downsize their own library.
Absolutely agree. Most have never taken one step into a library in their life.
But there are a few who send their kids there after school when no one is at home. It has activities that other parents use.
It won't be much, but there will be a percentage who complains "this isn't what I voted for".
I would literally give money if it comes to that to keep libraries free for all. I was lucky enough to have a mother who took me to the library when I was still holding her hand. I got a library card the minute I could sign my name.
Community library numbers are growing as councils are reducing funding for their in house services - but they can only survive if the local community is prepared to support them..
Libraries have always been special places for me. From the mobile library that came around when I was little, to the town and school libraries that started me exploring books, to the university libraries with knowledgeable librarians and multi-floor stacks. They are my churches and my cathedrals.
Under what authority does the Federal government dictate to libraries to remove and ban books? Banning is unconstitutional as is defunding
Congress passed a budget to include library funding. trump
Must leave all alone but he is using funding to blackmail the American people,libraries specifically.
I love the libraries in Tacoma and Puyallup, WA. I didn't realized until I retired the number of students who leave school and wander to the library to hang out where they are safe but much less supervised. Families routinely go to the libraries after school because many are a short block away.
All of our freedoms are under attack from this administration.
Our constitution and rule of laws are under attack. Our former allies are under attack. Our government of by and for the people is under attack from would be rulers who do not know the concept of "governing"
To be fair, I think that most haven't changed their operating model for a hundred years. Libraries need to be reinvented. My GenZ kids say they can't see the point when one can download books and research online. They think they are relics of a bygone era like video stores.
There is something to be said about the feel and smell of a real book. Walking through the stacks and selecting a book is calming. Everything in life doesn't need to be immediate.
Not just places of knowledge. The only place some folks can apply for jobs on the web. Cooling places for seniors and others. Refuge from the cold. Free books to read. Passport offices.
Americans don’t like throwing money at things that don’t make them money. If they can’t force a way to make ppl pay, things are hates and eventually cut: Libraries, nurses, PBS, teachers, NPR, veterans…
But healthcare?! hooooo doggie that one makes money hand over fist
There are a few free forms of entertainment which everyone can enjoy in a community. Parks, the natural attributes of a place such as rivers, and libraries. I think they go a long way to providing some basic security for people
Libraries bring so much more to their communities than just books. They are a vital hub where people can meet, they are used for clubs, for children's groups and even for coffee get togethers. They are a place for people to connect as well as gathering knowledge, they should be protected.
Our town library has become a homeless shelter. The # of ppl struggling is increasing, with few places for them to spend their days. I confess I’m not comfortable taking my kids in when many get unpredictably agitated due to mental illness, or urinate on the chairs while sleeping. It’s very sad.
I agree it is very sad and the homeless need somewhere to go, but maybe they need somewhere provided which is more suitable because children should feel safe to use libraries. With literacy becoming a problem in this country as children read less, libraries are a vital asset.
Our library is building a beautiful, large edition. Temporary, mini library set up in a historic bank building with the bank still there. I haven't checked it out yet. Its funded by local grants and the college pitches in. I can't wait, its going to be fabulous
Not in my town. There are so many of us volunteers we will NEVER let our libraries go under. I buy and donate books. I give used toys, coloring books and crayons to them for the children's section. I attend their workshops and movie nights. Our libraries are a safe space for all and a quiet oasis.
Comments
Closing down sources of information( knowledge is power) is what Fascism does.
Nobody should have any illusions that Starmer is, for all intents & purposes, a proto-fascist
Finland: we spend a ton of federal funds on public libraries.
US GOP: psst, we actually don’t want a literate populace
https://naple.eu/finland-spends-six-times-as-much-as-germany-on-public-libraries/
It turns out they get 10% of their funding from the Feds.
I wonder if the 2/3 of the voters who voter for Trump realize that they voted to downsize their own library.
But there are a few who send their kids there after school when no one is at home. It has activities that other parents use.
It won't be much, but there will be a percentage who complains "this isn't what I voted for".
Congress passed a budget to include library funding. trump
Must leave all alone but he is using funding to blackmail the American people,libraries specifically.
Our constitution and rule of laws are under attack. Our former allies are under attack. Our government of by and for the people is under attack from would be rulers who do not know the concept of "governing"
And libraries are continually adapting to meet local needs. One of the reasons they continue to exist.
But healthcare?! hooooo doggie that one makes money hand over fist
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