Video Store Closes, Library Collection Grows

Missoula Public Library

Link to May 14 Missoulian article, "Missoula library makes early purchase of movies from closing Crystal Video".

Excerpt:   Crystal Video is closing, but part of it will live on at the Missoula Public Library.

A day before putting his entire 13,000-movie library on sale to the public, Crystal owner Jace Laakso made a phone call to the library staff.

"Wanna get first shot?" was his message.

Boy, did they.

More than 260 movies later, the library's buyers walked out of the Crystal on Thursday loaded to the gills with new flicks, foreign and independent films that will be available to the public by midsummer.

"It was a little overwhelming," said Sasa Vesovic, a library assistant who runs the library's "Cheap Date Night" once a month.

It would be overwhelming. More than 13,000 films to choose from, and a wad of cash to spend?

Once the phone call from Laakso came, the library scrounged for money, but found it had none as its fiscal year is wrapping up this month.

That's when Friends of the Library, a community nonprofit, stepped forward with some cash.

North Carolina Woman Plans On "Going Straight to the Top" to Keep Charlotte Libraries Open

Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries

Link to May 14 Charlotte Observer article, "Fighting for books in their lives. Petitions urge officials to scrap plan to close all 16 community libraries".

Excerpt:   A north Charlotte women plans to petition the U.S. Congress for help to keep neighborhood libraries open here.

Patricia Barnes decided to seek aid for libraries after meeting with the library's board in April.

She got little assurance that the 16 community libraries would remain open in the much leaner fiscal year that begins in July. The library board has indicated it will keep only eight larger, regional libraries open after county budget cuts to the library system, starting July 1.

Barnes isn't sure Congress can help, but she said she feels compelled to ask.

Retiring Guy admires Patricia's determination but feels that all Mecklenburg County library advocates would be better served by focusing their efforts here.  This is the group of folks that need to pay attention to what their constituents love and value.

Related articles:
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution.  (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out.  (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts.  (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit.  (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task.  (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours.  (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday".  (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines.  (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches.  (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system.  (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote.  (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open.  (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives.  (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)

Charlotte Mecklenburg libraries haven't seen such large-scale reductions since the Great Depression. (3/17/2010)

Sunday Diversion: "Let Me Explain It To You"