http://www.newsgleaner.com/site/news...8595&rfi=6
There's already a thread on the board discussing the city-wide cuts. Actually, I believe they are state-wide. Pennsylvania is becoming the anti-education, anti-community state and apparently Rendell has slashed library funding. SOMETHING must be done to stop this. Libraries mean a lot to our communities.

Never was in that library, Geno.

If they touch the Tacony library......phew. I love that place. Has a really cool interior too.

I used to go to that library when I went to GWHS. We didn't have a computer at the time and that library got me through some projects and reports.

Never been into the Tacony library.

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CafeParents.com

Geno:

Isn't it true that the cuts will only be in the AM - which doesn't affect most people and certainly doesn't affect many children and young people.

The targeted cuts will allow all the city's libraries to stay open on the afternoon (where they are needed for latchkey kids) and all will now be open on Saturday.

And that includes Lawncrest.

As for computers, only 40% of people in Philadelphia have computer at home - less have internet connection. The libraries are critical and are the city's largest supplier of computer time.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

When I was waiting for my belongings to be shipped down from Ft Drum, I stopped by the Northeast Regional Library at Cottman & Oakland regularly to use the internet. That is a very popular feature of our libraries. Chris, I didn't catch when the cut back hours would be, but if they must cut, am would be best I guess.

I like the Northeast Regional library.

Libraries should smarten up and turn into a Barnes & Noble-type atmosphere. Never understood why they haven't yet. I just think it would benefit them tremendously.

But then again... who am I? :what_is_:

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CafeParents.com

An interesting individual living in the South. You're too funny.

That's an excellent idea. Then I could stop paying big $$$ for all these books my kid reads. She enjoys the atmosphere of Border's. :roll:

There are some public library systems that have modernized and expanded the way they conceive of their public spaces - San Francsico, I believe, when they built their new main branch, made it more of a community space and even (I think) relaxed some of the old rules about drinking/eating inside, for example (which Penn has done too, in the main Van Pelt Library).

Perhaps that's part of the plan for the Free Library addition, if it ever happens.

I'm not that interesting. Ask my wife.

:rolling_:

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CafeParents.com

So anyway, what they are doing is making this branch an "express" branch. Open 4 hours a day (in the afternoon) and NO librarian. That's like a classroom without a teacher. It's a shame, and a sign that our society is in serious decline when we can't properly fund the things that make a community.