How much does Jacksonville value its libraries?

How much do we value our libraries? (Florida Times-Union, 3/29/2012)

Excerpt:  Finally, the people of Jacksonville will have to answer these questions:

• Do they want an outstanding library system or one that is deteriorating?
• Do the people want declining numbers of materials, which mean longer waits for them, with insufficient staff to help them and with facilities that are falling apart? 
• Does Jacksonville want the library to be able to plan for the future? 

The system can’t do that now, Gubbin said.

Frankly, with the major literacy issues in Jacksonville, the city can’t afford to let the library system slip.

Too many adults are functionally illiterate.

Too many students can’t read at grade level.

The libraries are equipped to deal with these issues.

To let the library system deteriorate is to let Jacksonville’s future slip, as well.