The Public Library as Meet-Up Spot

Nashville Public Library

New Nashville library director is big on outreach.  (Nashville Tennessean, 9/23/2012)

Excerpt: The library as the most important meet-up spot? 

Really, these days? Absolutely, he [Kent Oliver] said. And then he pointed out his office window to the library courtyard, where more than 700 people had just gathered for a free lunchtime concert and announcement about a new citywide reading program. 

“We are certainly a place where everybody is welcome,” he said. “Regardless of their economic circumstances or their social circumstances, we are here to serve the public. That is why it’s so critical that we keep our doors open.”

Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Uses Postcard Campaign to "Flip the Switch for Library Funding"

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Though professing support for the library's budget proposal -- None of this is unreasonable -- the Buffalo News editorial board has serious reservations about creating a library district and maintaining the current number of branches.  

Library and its vital services deserve an increase, but not a blank check.  (Buffalo News, 9/23/2012)

Excerpt: We're not sure the library's postcard campaign is the wisest tactic for making its case to Poloncarz, but there's nothing specifically wrong with the approach. The library has the right of free speech, too, but the fact is that it also has a responsibility to do more to restrain its own costs.

Although 15 branch libraries were closed seven years ago during another county budget crisis, the system remains inefficiently designed. It's nice to have as many libraries as we do - there are 36 branches in addition to the Central Library - but it should be plain at this point that we have more than we can afford.

Related articles:
Erie County Exec builds a surplus by pulling the rug from under the library. (4/27/2011)
Funding picture gets progressively worse.  (2/26/2011)
Unhappy times continue.  (1/21/2011)
Library officials ask for final decision on budget. (12/22/2010)
Additional funding for library but not for arts groups.  (12/12/2010)
Legislators restore County Executive's $4,000,000 cut to library - for now.  (12/2/2010)
"No more worthwhile program of service".  (11/14/2010)
A bibliopocalypse @ the library.  (11/6/2010)
WBEN online poll offers 3 general options for public library future. (10/31/2010)
Reimagining the library.  (10/27/2010)
Budget cuts = reduced hours.  (10/21/2010)
Deep cuts (again) in the works.  (9/17/2010)
Editorial puts in 'a word about libraries'.  (8/30/2010)
Library could lose 25% of funding.  (8/19/2009)

The Story of Computers (1970)

Retronaut shares some color photo illustrations.

These libraries might be willing to share the book.

Four used copies available for purchase, not exactly priced to move.