By Alice

October 20, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this

The other day I got into a debate with someone over the value of public schools. Things are looking scary when you have to make a case for libraries and schools.

By dle

October 20, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

It confuses me when people say that libraries’ time has come and gone. If that were the case, why are they busier than ever? Why is it that people use library resources to find jobs, research life changing information, help encourage children in a love of reading and information? It is easy to find information on the internet….but how easy is it to separate the good from the misinformation? Incorrect information is dangerous, and reference librarians are trained to know how to find the good stuff. If you haven’t used a library recently, you probably don’t know what you are missing.

By Rosie

October 20, 2009 5:09 AM | Link to this

Libraries give us our freedom to so many books that hold all the information anyone could want.

By downsized

October 19, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this

WAR: so happy you can see a need for libraries. Now, whose 3 days or 5 hours a week should they be open? Yours? Not EVERYTHING is valueless to support by taxation. In my state, cuts always seem to start with libraries and public safety but, there is always money for bike trails and tax abatements for small companies like….Wells Fargo. Enough. We the people need libraries. The information on the “sacred” internet, for the most part, sucks. And William, a social gaming center? Where do you live? In my city there is a line for computer use to fill out job applications. You want revenues? Help people get jobs. If there are any.

By lmj

October 19, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

“quite extensively often”? Boy, I sound intelligent!

By lmj

October 19, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

I will settle for fewer hours, but I use several libraries quite extensively often. Three different libraries in a two county area KNOW me. (I’m not sure that is a good note.) I don’t get all the newspapers or periodicals that I like to read, so I go to the library to skim or peruse them. Of course, there would be no way I can afford my voracious reading appetite without the library lending my latest “fix”. Even though much information can be found online without library assistance, librarians still KNOW about references, and can direct patrons to the best places to find answers. Many do not or cannot afford a computer, but more and more filling out job applications or getting information to or from a business (banking comes to mind) needs to be done over the internet. Libraries assist with those needs. When we moved to central Ohio fourteen years ago, one of the most important considerations for me was the library system. YES! Libraries are important to me. We gain so much for so relatively little cost.

By megan

October 19, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this

I think it would be okay to shorten the open hours of the library, but not too much. There are still some of us who prefer reading for enjoyment and knowledge rather than searching online or watching the discovery channel.

By William

October 19, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this

Frankly its time has come and gone. It isn’t a place for research any longer as much as it has turned into a social and gaming center with free internet. Want a library back, then return to its roots.

By WAR

October 18, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this

Yes librarys are important, but l think everyone could get used to a three day week or five hours a day. We could then transfer THOSE levy funds to our schools so THEY won’t have to ask for another Levy in this time of layoffs and cut wages. You wanna see Huber become a ghost town, just ask for another school levy.

By WAR

October 18, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this

l can still see a need for a library, even though most people are now using a computer to get their info.,but its time to pull in the belt. Three days a week wouldn’t take long to get used to and we could use the money for schools so THEY won’t have to ask for a levy. One thing we DON’t need, with so many laid off and in cut back jobs, is another school levy.

By hmmm

October 18, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this

great place to sleep during the day…….zzzzzzzzzz

By vick

October 18, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this

I’m not aware that anybody has suggested that, Mike. If anything, existing public libraries are facing funding losses and reductions in hours that they can be open.

By Mike

October 18, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this

Important enough for every town to have one now? No.