Philadelphia has announced that they are closing all branches of the Philadelphia Free Library. I thought it must be some kind of a prank when I first read the news, because of the massiveness of the closure – all branches, not just reduced hours, not just some locations. Cities, counties, and states are in such huge trouble from the financial crisis, despite the tentative recovery, that Philadelphia’s closure will probably be the first of quite a few big closures.
It’s a disaster that may end up being a sad turning point in American library history, I am afraid.
Pingback by netbib weblog » Philadelphia Free Libraries schliessen alle Zweigstellen — September 12, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
I too am floored by this. How could the legislature be that irresponsible? It will be a shocking and disturbing development if this does occur and I am really hoping that the people of Philadelphia realize just what will be lost. I think that the list of programs that will be discontinued is striking in a period of high unemployment and when people are struggling already.
Comment by Laura Koltutsky — September 14, 2009 @ 10:24 am
I keep hoping it is some kind of bad prank. How can their government and legislature simply allow the system to completely go under? As Juice points out, it is a disaster in terms of history. It says so much about where people put their priorities, and what is says is not very good.
Best, and keep on blogging.
Comment by Angel — September 14, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
Pingback by HotStuff 2.0 » Posts » Philadelphia Free Libraries - Closing All Branches — September 18, 2009 @ 6:19 pm