Houston Chronicle Editorial: "Libraries matter."

Link to July 10 Houston Chronicle editorial, "More on libraries. Trends to cut library services nationally are alarming. Will we live to regret them?"

Excerpt: We read some of the details of that trend, and some of its consequences, on last Thursday's Outlook page ("We will all feel the loss from cuts to our libraries").

Marilyn Johnson, the author of the piece, noted the number of closings, curtailments of service and other cuts aimed at our libraries nationwide and mused provocatively: "We won't miss a third of our librarians and branch libraries the way we'd miss a third of our firefighters and firehouses, the rationale goes ... but I wonder."

She's not alone in wondering. So do we.

University Park Public Library (Texas) Looks for "Permanent Home"

Link to July 16 Dallas News article, "Mall owners offer University Park library a home in exchange for chance to add 400-space garage".

Excerpt: Library supporters say they are pleased with the plan.

"We've been trying for a long time to find a long-term, permanent solution," said John Stuart, past president of the Friends of the University Park Public Library. "We're dealing with a landlocked community, so there are not a lot of options."

Under the proposal, the city would get at least 15,000 square feet on the second floor of the new building for the library, which is now in a 5,000-square-foot space in the Chase Bank building in Snider Plaza. The library would have a separate entrance from the retail and commercial areas, and would have an elevator from the underground parking garage.  [Emphasis added.]

Believe me, Retiring Guy knows the inadequacy of a 5,000 square-foot facility.  The Middleton Public Library was squeezed into such a space until 1990, when the city's population was 13,785.


University Park Public Library.  An all-volunteer library 10 years ago.

University Park, Texas:  A well-heeled community of nearly 25,000.

University Park, Texas:  Landlocked.

There's gotta be a "rest of the story" here, folks.  Anyone have something to share?

Former LA Mayor Sez Pension Costs Might Wipe Out Funds for Libraries and Other Services

New! Reduced! hours of operation go into effect today.

Link to July 18 Los Angeles Times article, "Riordan says L.A. could run out of money for parks, libraries".

Excerpt: A Villaraigosa aide said Riordan’s dire predictions were outlandish.

“It’s an absurd notion that the city would plan to close its parks and libraries before reforming pensions,” said Villaraigosa’s Deputy Chief of Staff Matt Szabo, who handles budget issues. “Parks and libraries are core public services and will always be provided to the public by the city.”

Some already see signs that city services are being dismantled. To close a budget gap, Villaraigosa and the council reduced library hours and laid off 98 library employees this month. Some child care workers at city parks also received pink slips.

Merriam-Webster defines one sense of 'core' as a basic, essential, or enduring part.  Sounds as though folks are getting lip service from the Mayor's office.