How do we best express the impact of the economic times to our children?
If we choose to be honest, we can tell them that Christmas presents may be limited this year or that the family vacation will be in Indiana, not Florida.
We can also tell them that the library bookmobile that often came to school won’t be driving up anymore, or that the hours at the local library will be shortened.
If we choose to protect them from such realities, then perhaps parents will need to get more involved in early childhood literacy and reading to their children.
Recently, the Anderson Public Library board of trustees decided that bookmobile service to schools would be eliminated and hours at Lapel and Anderson would be shortened. This should save the $256,369 revenue shortfall for the library in 2010. The shortfall is a result of statewide property tax caps which are leaving governmental bodies with less revenue.
The impact on library hours may not be harsh. Anderson will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. So get your DVDs early. Better yet, get your books early and make it a steady habit to read to your children. Instead of inserting a DVD, insert knowledge through the discoveries offered by reading.
The Lapel branch will suffer more, with hours reduced from 56 a week to 30. The branch is to be closed Fridays through Sundays. The change still allows staff to read to preschoolers on certain mornings. The weekend closing in Lapel is disturbing though not uncommon in other districts.
We should probably be thankful that the Lapel branch is not being replaced by a bookmobile.
Instead, the Anderson bookmobile service will be eliminated.
The presence of bookmobiles has dwindled in the U.S. since a high of 1,125 in 1991. They’re down to under 900 now, according to the American Library Association.
We are bound to find out that bookmobile service is critical to early literacy by delivering books to students who may have no experience or familiarity with libraries. We hope the library board constantly examines the budget to see if the bookmobile can be reinstated.
However, for now, we believe the library board is taking necessary precautions in limiting services to address its budget shortfall.
The decision-making process by the library board has been painful. They have done as much as possible to keep staffing at current levels. Since the tax caps took effect, the library has cut 12 part-time and eight full-time spots.
Yet this board believes the reductions are necessary and must be endured by library staff and patrons. We believe that reduction in staff hours should probably be considered before more hours are eliminated.
Libraries are community assets, and require community support. One way to show support is to instill the need for literacy and libraries in our children. But we can’t just tell children that libraries are hurting. We need to show children why libraries should thrive.
Editorials
Editorial: Library making tough, right decisions on cuts
- Editorials
-
-
Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
-
Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
-
Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
-
Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
-
Editorial: Find a buyer for former school or tear it down
If a buyer wants the former Pendleton Heights Middle School, fine, but put no more taxpayer money into it.
-
Editorial: Libraries must adapt to serve communities
Certainly, the Friends of the Anderson Public Library needs space to store and sell used books, records, DVDs and other material. But library supporters and staff must be flexible in this ever-changing world to keep public facilities relevant.
-
You Said It: About Walking Men, the Queen of Disco and settled lawsuits
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
-
Editorial: Ockomon-Spencer saga hurt city's reputation
Wednesday, May 16, was a sad day for Anderson taxpayers forced to pay a $128,000 bill that ends a saga that never should have started
-
Editorial: It's Pendleton's time to shine this weekend
The residents of Pendleton can be a little prouder of themselves today. Two events capture the community spirit that makes the town one of the gems in our region.
-
Editorial: Little 500 Festival, local events heating up Saturday
Like the Indianapolis 500, Anderson Speedway’s Little 500 should be on the bucket list for folks living in the Madison County area.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
