Comments on: Closing Camden Libraries…Might Be a Good Start

By: CGHill

CGHill — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:11:35 +0000

I can’t speak for Dallas, but up here in Oklahoma City, the Metropolitan Library System is running a budget surplus, much to the dismay of other local governmental institutions which aren’t.

By: Kataloger

Kataloger — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:42:18 +0000

Merriam-Webster defines raze as “to destroy to the ground.” You needn’t restate “to the ground,” when using this word. I usually enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the good work. -k

By: ElderLibrarian

ElderLibrarian — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:55:57 +0000

I am not shocked by what is going on in Camden. It’s complicated and too much history to discuss here.
What I am shocked about is the situation in Dallas. I thought Texas was boasting how low their unemployment is because of their pro-business (so-called) stance. Why isn’t Dallas rolling in dough and funding their library?

By: I Like Books

I Like Books — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:23:31 +0000

Does Camden still observe the traditional arson spree on Mischief Night, October 30?

By: Real Librarian

Real Librarian — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:27:21 +0000

Due to budget problems, the municipal offices in Newark, NJ are no longer supplying toilet paper for workers. So if you want to go you bring your own.

Maybe Newark can buy Camden’s books at cut-rate prices and cover their paper shortfalls.

By: Bibliotecher

Bibliotecher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:53:12 +0000

“Camden — at least we’re not Detroit!”

By: Walt Lessun

Walt Lessun — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:49:07 +0000

Everyone in Detroit should move to Windsor. No solution for Camden: the only place for them to move is Philadelphia and that ain’t much of an improvement…

By: Philly-area librarian

Philly-area librarian — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:26:28 +0000

1. Camden’s been a cesspool for years. And the fire hazard would probably be due to the risk of vandals setting things on fire after the library was closed, not from the fear of spontaneous combustion!

2. New Jersey-ites, like residents of other states suffering from financial distress, don’t seem to be able to recognize that belt-cinching is necessary, and that sometimes things you like have to be sacrificed in favor of things you need (giving up a couple branches to keep the firemen and cops, for instance). They’d prefer to keep on spending non-existent money.

Safe-libraries, unfortunately Delaware’s starting to be infected by people fleeing NJ and Pennsylvania. They move to Delaware only to poison the state with the failed policies from which they were fleeing (although I’m sure they’re too stupid to realize it was those policies that caused their states’ miseries). I mean, when a Canadian business decides to give up its Delaware incorporation in favor of Canada, something’s really wrong (Tim Hortons, the doughnut/coffee chain, left last year)!

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:29:08 +0000

“It would be more humane for New Jersey or the federal government or someone to take it over, relocate everyone, and start fresh. Maybe FEMA could move in.”

This is absolutely what needs to happen in Detroit. Their poverty statistics and graduation rates (25%) are far more pathetic than Camden’s. In spite of this, it is nearly impossible to get any meaningful reform through the schools or government. Nothing short of the federal government declaring it a disaster zone can help the city.

By: SafeLibraries - Are Children Safe in Public Libraries?

SafeLibraries - Are Children Safe in Public Libraries? — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:20:45 +0000

Camden long ago was doomed when some NJ governor decided to raise taxes on businesses. You see, Camden used to be the corporation capital of the world. Today it is Delaware. Why? That governor. He raised taxes, the companies ran to Delaware, he lowered the taxes, but too late. The current governor gets the blame for the mess left by the governor who did the actual damage.