Karen Heller: How to shelve a library plan? (Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/6/2012)
Excerpt: The Philadelphia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the nation's oldest book collection serving the visually impaired and one of only two in the commonwealth, is slated to be dramatically diminished this week, as services and the collection are slashed.
The plan calls for moving most reading materials to the smaller, less-used Pittsburgh branch; foolishly dumping half a million recorded cassettes; and halving the caring, veteran staff that helps disabled patrons in 29 counties.
The merger makes absolutely no sense and will not save the commonwealth a cent, while providing slower, less efficient service to an already underserved population. Indeed, critics believe the merger will cost more money in unanticipated operating costs.
After writing about the abysmal plan Wednesday, I was flooded with calls and e-mails from readers asking how they could help.
Often in the past, I could suggest a government official or legislator with some clout who might listen to their concerns.
Now, I'm at an utter loss, as are the library's advocates.
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