Efforts Continue to Save Detroit's Chase Branch Library

Chase Branch

Patrons picket to save Detroit library branch. (Detroit News, 9/9/2011)

Excerpt: Users of the Detroit Public Library's Chase branch held a daylong protest Thursday in hopes of saving what they say is the heart of their neighborhood.

"You are just taking a crippling situation and cutting off another leg," said Pat Pernell-Shelton, a nearby resident who marched outside the northwest Detroit branch with a sign reading, "Save our library." "It just breaks my heart.

"These kids are used to walking to this library. They are on foot, they aren't being dropped off."

The branch, on Seven Mile near the Southfield Freeway, is one of six slated to close under a proposal by Detroit Public Library administrators, who say layoffs in March have stretched the staff too thin. But the plan comes three months after officials abandoned plans that would have closed as many as 18 branches. The six branches were targeted based on several factors, including building condition, usage and neighborhood population.

The library's board of commissioners is expected to vote on the plan by the end of September.

Related articles:
Speaking up for the Chase branch.  (9/6/2011)
6 branches being considered for closure. (8/24/2011)
Library commissioners reorder 10% pay cuts for top 3 library administrators.  (7/8/2011)
Ernie Hallwall memorabilia.  (6/9/2011)
Library commission aism high.  (5/25/2011)
Library u-turn:  no branch closures, no layoffs.  (5/21/2011)
The next thing you know..... (5/20/2011)
My boss has a 2010 Buick LaCrosse....   (5/19/2011)
Detroit Public Library revised its math.  (5/17/2011)
Detroit Public Library does the math....incorrectly.  (5/14/2011)
Residents speak up against branch closings.  (5/8/2011)
The library takes a page from the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates.  (5/7/2011)
The news just keeps getting worse. (5/6/2011)
The Detroit Public Library needs some good news (and this isn't it).  (5/5/2011)
Rainy day fund keeps fewer branches from closing.  (4/29/2011)
Proposal to close 18 of 23 Detroit branches sparks anger. (4/22/2011)
Few expenses spared in South Wing remodeling of library.  (4/22/2011)
Downward spiral.  (4/16/2011)
Library reduces staff by 20%. (3/4/2011)
Budget woes. (2/5/2011)

Is the Pope Catholic?

Got short-sightedness? Industry facing skills gap, Wisconsin slashes technical college funding

By 30%, or $36,000,000 annually.

Skills gap looms at U.S. factories as boomers retire. (The Globe and Mail, 9/8/2011)

Excerpt: The U.S.’s biggest industrial companies face an average bill of at least $100-million (U.S.) each over the next five years as they struggle to fill the skills gaps left by the looming retirement of baby boomer factory workers, according to a survey of manufacturers to be released Thursday.

The survey by Nielsen Co. of 100 top executives at U.S. manufacturing companies underlines the scale of the demographic problem facing the U.S. economy. In recent decades, apprenticeships and workplace training have been gradually downgraded, to the extent that many manufacturers now complain they cannot find the skilled workers they need in spite of stubbornly high unemployment.

Mechanics and engineers from the baby-boom generation – born in the two decades following the second world war – formed the backbone of the U.S.’s industrial work force from the 1960s onwards. However, the first baby boomers become eligible for retirement this year, raising the spectre that the skills gap could worsen sharply in the next few years.

Mainstream Media Exhibits Tunnel Vision at Reagan Library Republican Presidential Debate

Here's the list of candidates who participated:
Michele Bachmann
Herman Cain
Newt Gingrich
Jon Huntsman
Ron Paul
Rick Perry
Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum

Here's what most reporters of the event saw.

Apparently, the rule of political engagement is that there never can be more than 2.

Letter to Seattle Times Brings to Mind a Edwin Starr Song

To save money, Seattle libraries closed one week. (Seattle Times, 9/4/2011)

Excerpt: It is a profound and tragic commentary on our society when trillions of dollars are squandered on wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia, and the Seattle Public Library is forced to close for a week — reportedly to save $650,000 from its $50 million budget [“Seattle libraries closed this week to save money,” Seattletimes.com, Aug. 29].

Another Power Outage in Detroit

Excerpt: After power failures Thursday zapped the Detroit Public Schools and shuttered the Detroit Institute of Arts and the main branch of the Detroit Public Library, simmering anger resurfaced toward the city's public lighting system amid fears it is on the brink of collapse.

Separate incidents contributed to Thursday's woes, as a power pole snapped in west Detroit, closing four schools, and a substation malfunction near Midtown took out electricity to public buildings in that area, including dozens of schools. That prompted DPS to close the remainder of its 130 buildings early on just the third day of the new school year.

Whitewater Council Approves Public Buildings Firearm Ordinance

Whitewater prohibits guns in public buildings. (Jefferson County Daily Union, 9/7/2011)

Excerpt: The Whitewater Common Council on Tuesday approved a new city ordinance that will "prohibit entry or presence in public buildings in the city while carrying firearms."

The vote was 6-1, with councilperson Javonni Butler casting the sole dissenting ballot.

In July, the council had directed city staff to investigate the issue after the state Legislature passed a "concealed carry" gun law earlier this year that would allow qualified citizens to carry concealed guns so long as they had a permit. The state law specified exemptions as to where those firearms would be allowed, including police stations and schools, for example.

City Manager Kevin Brunner explained to the council that city staff investigated ordinances that were passed in other municipalities and that Whitewater's ordinance - officially called The Public Buildings Firearm Ordinance - is similar to those. In short, the ordinance calls for posting signs stating that no "firearm or weapon" is allowed in the public building where the sign is located.

Related posts.
Two Rivers council prohibits concealed carry in public buildings.  (9/7/2011)
Milwaukee area communities move to ban guns from public buildings. (8/21/2011)
Linus Van Pelt, now all grown up, goes to the dark side.  (8/2/2011
No concealed carry in Columbus public buildings.  (7/25/2011)
A lesson in Wisconsin administrative rule-making. (7/23/2011)
Sheboygan County District Attorney Joe DeCecco calls out gun lobby paranoia. (7/13/2011)
City of Middleton Council votes to approve ordinance to prohibit entry or presence in public buildings while carrying firearms. (7/6/2011)
Milwaukee Public Library trustees ban firearms from all buildings. (6/29/2011)
Milton Mayor and gun-rights advocate Tom Chesmore: Only police should carry guns into city buildings. (6/27/2011)
Dane County and City of Madison propose restrictions on concealed carry. (6/18/2011)
Wisconsin Senate Bill 93: Concealed Carry. (6/10/2011)
Milwaukee Police Chief to Gov. Walker on concealed carry: Exhibit statesmanship and provide adult supervision. (6/4/2011)

Lester Public Library of Rome Offers a Technology Petting Zoo

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Northwoods Children's Book Conference: A Descriptive List of Speakers and More

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Report from Public Knowledge: 4G + Data Caps = Magic Beans

4G Wireless for Rural America? Not Nearly Good Enough. (Community Broadband Networks, 9/8/2011)

Excerpt:    The good folks at Public Knowledge have released a report appropriately titled, "4G + Data Caps = Magic Beans." These are the fraudulent version of magic beans - don't expect any beanstalks to data clouds.

The 4G offered by major wireless carriers (with the notable exception of Sprint) is a waste of money because it comes with strict data caps. These data caps actively discourage the types of activities that 4G enables. Activities that are made possible by 4G, such as watching movies or uploading video to the internet, are made impossible by the data caps. As a result most users will avoid taking advantage of these new services out of fear of incurring large overage fees. That makes capped 4G little more than a bait and switch, like being sold a handful of magic beans.

I have been disturbed by statements from a number of policymakers and elected officials suggesting they believe the future of connectivity in rural America is wireless, specifically 4G because it is better than the horrible DSL that is mostly the only "broadband" connection available in much of rural America.

Here's a more upbeat, cheerleading view.

From the Executive Summary:

What Would Jesus Say

To this?

No, the Rev. Boetcker did not write these words in 1873, unless he was holding them when he popped out of his mother's womb.

According to Wikipedia, Boetcker (1873-1962) was an American religious leader, influential public speaker, outspoken political conservative, and -- I'm adding my own spin here -- someone who'd feel right at home in most of the groups listed here.

Well, we know exactly what Jesus would say.

And about that 9th one.....

Enough already!

Because we're pulling down the wage payers.

Library Director Opening @ Wisconsin's Platteville Public Library

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Dane County Exec Joe Parisi to Conduct Budget Listening Sessions in September

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Dane Co. executive to hold series of listening sessions on 2012 budget. (Waterloo/Marshall Courier-News, 9/7/2011)

Excerpt: Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced last week he will be conducting a series of listening sessions throughout the month of September to allow citizens the opportunity to learn more about the 2012 county budget and provide their input.

The county is currently facing an estimated $6 million deficit in its 2012 county budgets due to what Parisi has blamed on “severe cuts from the state government.”

Two of the September sessions will be done jointly with the Dane County Board of Supervisors, and will focus primarily on the proposed human services budget – human services accounts for more than 50 percent of Dane County’s nearly $500 million budget.

[snip]

The following dates and times are when scheduled listening sessions will take place:

Human services:
• Monday, Sept. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the Alliant Energy Center;
• Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the Alliant Energy Center.

General budget:
• Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Electronic Theatre Controls in Middleton; and
• Monday, Sept. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Stoughton Senior Center.

The county executive’s budget recommendations are expected to be introduced to the county board by Oct. 1. Another public hearing will be held in October, prior to full county board consideration of the committee recommendations in early November. Final action by the county board on the 2012 county budget is expected by late November.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Zero percent increase for Prairie du Sac department budgets.  (9/7/2011)
City of Ashland looks at projected shortfall of $329,000 in 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
Dodgeville city council to hold listening session on 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
Shawano budget deficit at $504,800.  (8/25/2011)
City of Ripon facing $110,000 budget deficit for 2012.  (8/25/2011)
Long list of cuts on table for Racine city services.  (8/25/2011)
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

A Closer Look at the Revenue Sources of the Lodi Woman's Club Public Library

Town of Lodi continues library support. (Lodi Enterprise eNews, 9/7/2011)

Excerpt: Town of Lodi officials found out they are getting more than their money's worth for their Lodi Public Library funding contribution.

Annually the town contributes $6,000 to the Lodi Public Library, but according to 2010 reports town of Lodi residents make up 32.4 percent of total circulation-the second highest usage group when compared with the city at 45.9 percent.

At the Aug. 30 town of Lodi board meeting, library co-directors Trish Priewe and Kristine Millard said the library's annual budget is around $250,000.

The library, as a city department, receives about 85 percent of its funding from the city of Lodi. Other funding comes from townships through taxpayers; money that is allotted through the Columbia County Library Board, which reimburses at least 70 percent of the library's usage by county residents.*

The remaining money must be made up through donations, grants, fundraising and additional support.

In 2010, the Lodi library had its highest circulation ever with 102,137. Priewe said if you divide that number by its annual budget of $250,000, it cost the library almost $2.50 for each item circulated.

With budgets tight, town officials wanted to know were its annual contribution was going.

Priewe said the town's $6,000 contribution started many years ago when the town signed a franchise agreement with Charter Communications. The town board at that time promised a library contribution on an annual basis.

"That money from the township has always been earmarked for technology," Priewe said. "It is used to keep up with computer equipment, hardware and
get up-to-date software."

Here's breakdown of revenue as reported in the Prelimiinary 2010 Public Library Service Data published by the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning's Public Library Development Team.

*2010 Revenue

Lodi Women's Club Public Library

I assume the $6,000 contribution from the Town of Lodi would be reported in the"All other income" column.  And as a "unlibraried" unit of government, the Town of Lodi also contributes to the county library tax, which is part of the "Columbia County appropriation".

An Interview with Tana Elias, Madison Public Library Web Resources Coordinator

Know Your Madisonian: Busy time ahead for library’s web coordinator. (Wisconsin State Journal, 9/7/2011)

Excerpt: Tana Elias, the web resources coordinator for the Madison Public Library, will be pretty busy in the next couple of months. Elias, who began working for the library in 1993, will be making a lot of calls to change the library’s information listings before it moves to a temporary site at 126 S. Hamilton St. The move is set to happen in November ahead of a $29.5 million reconstruction project scheduled to begin in January. “In two years I’ll have to make sure they all get changed back,” Elias said.

Elias has lived in the Madison area since 1992, when she came to attend library school, and currently lives in Fitchburg.

Wisconsin State Treasurer Suggests 'Misbehavers' Be Sent to School Library to Read for 10 Minutes

But on the other hand, he puts in a plug for the Common School Fund without mentioning an alternative use.

Walking at Waters has parents hopping mad. (Fond du Lac Reporter, 9/6/2011)\

Excerpt:   Those passing by the school in the morning last Thursday and Friday may have caught a glimpse of students and teachers following painted blue arrows as they marched around in a circle on the blacktop. According to a new walking curriculum, students are required to walk 10 minutes before school and again during the first 10 minutes of their only recess.

After receiving several complaints, Principal Catherine Daniels sent a robo-message out to parents stating that in the past there have been occurrences of injuries and discipline problems on the playground.

“In an effort to be healthy and safe at Waters School one strategy that we have implemented is the organized walks,” she said.

The walking initiative is exclusive to Waters School, said Gloria Schmidt, community relations coordinator for the Fond du Lac School District.

Not that it matters since teachers get bogged down focusing on wars and Presidents

Report: Textbooks Ignore Union Contributions. (AFL-CIO Now Blog, 9/6/2011)

Excerpt:   AFT President Randi Weingarten said the report “explains why so few Americans know much about labor’s history and contributions.”

It paints a devastating picture of distortion and omission. Too often, labor’s role in U.S. history is misrepresented, downplayed, or ignored. The result is that most American students have little sense of how the labor movement changed the lives of Americans for the better. A vital piece of U.S. history is disappearing before our eyes.  [Strikeouts added for effect.]

Here's the American History syllabus as it was once taught in Warren, Pennsylvania -- first to all 8th graders at Beaty Junior High School and then repeated when we were juniors at Warren Area High School.  Both times we barely made it into the 20th century.  Sadly, I suspect the curriculum hasn't changed all that much since the 1960s.

Labor history ignored?  Try social history, business history, technological developments.   If it didn't involve ballots or bullets, fuhgeddaboudit.

Wonder where we'd find Gompers and Lewis on a Q Factor scale today?

Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2011 Kids Count Data Book, State Profiles of Child Well-Being

Families Feel Sharp Edge of State Budget Cuts. (The New York Times, 9/7/2011)

Excerpt:    Whatever the motive, such policy changes come as the downturn has left a growing number of low-income families in worse financial trouble.

The percentage of children living in poverty rose during the last decade, particularly once the recession hit and unemployment soared.

By 2009, about 2.4 million more children’s families lived below the poverty line than in 2000, an increase of 18 percent, according to a recent analysis of Census Bureau data by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a child advocacy group. In states like this, where Republicans took control of the capital this year, the new cuts have helped resolve Michigan’s expected budget gap, once estimated at $1.4 billion.

Wisconsin has an overall ranking of 12 on the Kids County composite index.

The Herd Instinct in U.S. Politics

Why did the GOP turn against stimulus? Ask a psychologist, by Ezra Klein.  (Washington Post, 9/6/2011)

Excerpt:   My favorite study [link here and screenshot of page 1 found below] in this space was by Yale’s Geoffrey Cohen. He had a control group of liberals and conservatives look at a generous welfare reform proposal and a harsh welfare reform proposal. As expected, liberals preferred the generous plan and conservatives favored the more stringent option. Then he had another group of liberals and conservatives look at the same plans, but this time, the plans were associated with parties.

Both liberals and conservatives followed their parties, even when their parties disagreed with their preferences.

[snip]

The bottom line is this: Until quite recently, both parties supported the idea that you combat bad economies with stimulus spending. Now, during an extremely bad economy, the Republican Party has completely abandoned that position. That has left them without plausible solutions — the GOP talks now of things that have very little role in boosting short-term demand, such as deficit reduction and regulatory reform — and has left the Democrats without the votes to pass anything. And that’s left the country deep in the hole.

PLAYroom @ the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Noble Neighborhood Branch

PLAYroom at Cleveland Heights' Noble branch library helps kindergarten preparation. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/4/2011)

Excerpt: It’s never too early to develop reading skills.

That’s the thinking behind the new PLAYroom at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library’s Noble Neighborhood Branch. Geared toward preparing young children for kindergarten, the facility hosted a community open house on Aug. 27.

Opened in May in conjunction with the branch’s $1 million renovation, the PLAYroom (Preschool Literacy and You) encourages five activities identified by the American Library Association as crucial to building early literacy skills; singing, reading, writing, talking and playing. This is achieved through activities such as dramatic play opportunities, touch-screen computer stations, technology specifically designed for children with disabilities, interactive wall panels, word labels on items throughout the room and, of course, a “comfortable couch with a nest of pillows for cozy reading.”

Zero Percent Increase for Prairie du Sac Department Budgets

Tight budget for Prairie du Sac. (Sauk Prairie Eagle, 8/31/2011)

Excerpt: Trustee Ray Bolton managed to sum up the early prognosis for the upcoming Prairie du Sac Village Budget with one word - "Ouch."

Due mostly to cuts in various revenue sources from the state in its latest budget, the village board is looking to cut $75,000 from next year's operating budget.

"We're going to have our work cut out for us," said village president Cheryl Sherman.

Village administrator Alan Wildman said it will be the toughest budget session in recent memory, and the administrative committee will be meeting more often than usual to identify potential cuts.

Wildman told the village board during its committee of the whole meeting Aug. 23 that it's facing a loss of $39,500 in state aid and $30,000 less in highway and recycling money from the state.

Furthermore, state law prevents the village from raising taxes to pay for its general operating costs. However, Wildman said the village could raise the levy 0.08 percent to reflect its $2.7 million in new construction this year.

The village has requested that its various departments - such as the Sauk Prairie Police Department and the Prairie du Sac Public Library - keep their budget requests at a 0 percent increase.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
City of Ashland looks at projected shortfall of $329,000 in 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
Dodgeville city council to hold listening session on 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
Shawano budget deficit at $504,800.  (8/25/2011)
City of Ripon facing $110,000 budget deficit for 2012.  (8/25/2011)
Long list of cuts on table for Racine city services.  (8/25/2011)
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

Big Buzz, Rave Reviews for "The Art of Fielding", Racine Native Chad Harbach's First Book

59 LINKcat holds on 5 copies.

Racine native's first novel generating literary buzz. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 9/6/2011)

Excerpt:   Racine-born author Chad Harbach spent 10 years laboring on his first novel.

It's about baseball, love, loss and dreams, all set at a fictional Wisconsin college along the shore of Lake Michigan.

While many of his former classmates at Harvard University found success in the workplace, Harbach struggled with the book and struggled to make financial ends meet. He took part-time copy-editing jobs while also cofounding the literary journal n+1.

Harbach's novel, "The Art of Fielding," receives its official release Wednesday, and it is bound to be among the big publishing events of the fall season.

The book, published by Little, Brown and Co., has already brought a financial windfall to Harbach, who received a reported $650,000 advance.

And the novel just received what may be the most important seal of approval in the bookselling world: a rave review in The New York Times from critic Michiko Kakutani. ("Twist of Fate Derails Fate of Athlete", 9/5/2011)

Two Rivers Council Prohibits Concealed Carry in Public Buildings

Two Rivers rejects concealed carry in city buildings. (Herald-Times-Reporter, 9/6/2011)

Excerpt: The Two Rivers City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting concealed carry of firearms by citizens in any public buildings or city-owned vehicles.

The ordinance does not apply to peace officers, armed forces or military personnel armed in the line of duty or any person authorized by the police chief of any city, village or town, or the sheriff of any county to possess a firearm in any building.

"This ordinance is … pretty plain vanilla and pretty similar to what a lot of cities across the state are doing," City Manager Greg Buckley said. "It's not meant to be any kind of political statement (about concealed carry)."

Under Wisconsin's concealed-carry legislation, which goes into effect in November, people who obtain a permit and go through training will be allowed to carry concealed weapons in most public buildings unless a sign is posted saying they are not permitted.

Related posts.
Milwaukee area communities move to ban guns from public buildings. (8/21/2011)
Linus Van Pelt, now all grown up, goes to the dark side.  (8/2/2011
No concealed carry in Columbus public buildings.  (7/25/2011)
A lesson in Wisconsin administrative rule-making. (7/23/2011)
Sheboygan County District Attorney Joe DeCecco calls out gun lobby paranoia. (7/13/2011)
City of Middleton Council votes to approve ordinance to prohibit entry or presence in public buildings while carrying firearms. (7/6/2011)
Milwaukee Public Library trustees ban firearms from all buildings. (6/29/2011)
Milton Mayor and gun-rights advocate Tom Chesmore: Only police should carry guns into city buildings. (6/27/2011)
Dane County and City of Madison propose restrictions on concealed carry. (6/18/2011)
Wisconsin Senate Bill 93: Concealed Carry. (6/10/2011)
Milwaukee Police Chief to Gov. Walker on concealed carry: Exhibit statesmanship and provide adult supervision. (6/4/2011)

A Growing Clive Iowa Needs a Library with More Space

Excerpt: The Clive Public Library has long lists of people — mostly children — waiting to participate in library programs that range from baby lap time to “Tales with Tails.”

During the 2011-12 fiscal year, the library turned down 602 people waiting to get into library programs.

“We’ve had waiting lists for a long time, even though we’ve doubled the number of programs that we offer over the last seven years,” said Vicki Hibbert, director of the library.

The problem boils down to a lack of space, Hibbert said. A bond referendum to build a new library building failed in July of 2008. The vote was the same day that gas prices hit $4 per gallon in the Des Moines metro area, Hibbert recalled.

Clive city leaders said the library must expand or change in some major way within the next five years to meet the needs of a growing population.

Donate to Vermont Public Libraries

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