The public library, our library, however, can only do so much. It has always been this way, in fact. You can have 20 book mobiles cruising through poor areas, but if the parents in those areas are not readers, don’t own books, and see no real benefit in learning for its own sake, then the library can only do so much to fill in the gap and help solve the problem of illiteracy. I read recently that Detroit suffers now from a 50% rate of illiteracy. That’s astonishing and hardly something the public library system can handle on its own.

It wasn’t personally insulting you. I was simply making a statement (and I believe a true one) on the state of public libraries. They are dying. They need to be replaced with better services/different services. They need to be reassessed and something else to take their place. Small storefront computer labs, neighborhood bookswaps, community centers, etc.

Also, I AM a public librarian who works in economically depressed areas. I live what this article is talking about EVERY DAY. This isn’t something libraries can fix- at least not in their current state. There needs to be, ,at least, open discussion as to what can address these problems where the library has failed MISERABLY- without being offended or feeling personally insulted.

The fact is, you can work really hard to save a sinking ship and go down with it or you can figure out how to save all the people without saving the ship.

A library being open late in a poor area means that young people have a place to hang out that is safe, or at least, safer than the streets. Just being able to exist without fear is a huge benefit to a child. A library can also serve as an “enriched environment” for young people, with access to toys, games and craft supplies the kids normally wouldn’t have access to, as well as the usual books and internet.

I would also like to point out that, if people aren’t using the library, the library needs to step up with marketing and relevant programs and services. Poor people don’t go to libraries because they think libraries have nothing to offer them. It’s our resposibility to demonstrate that this is not the case.

1. The libraries in the poorer communities probably had less circulation than those in the wealthier communities. Staffing and hours are determined by circulation, hence the cuts in hours and probably staff.
2.Fewer staff members means less outreach to kids in school, parents at neighborhood events, etc., so fewer people are aware of the benefits of the library.
3. Many card holders probably owe too much in fines, so can’t use their card to check out books.
4. How convenient are the branches in the poorer neighborhoods? Are they close to transportation, parking, etc? Do they have adequent security so that people feel safe?
5. Philly probably buys on a system-wide basis, so the branches should be getting some new books even if not as many as the busier branches.
6. Are the poorer branches offering programs relavent to the community – computer classes, resumer classes, etc?
7. The poorer branches may not have book drops because the book drops had been vandalized in the past, and it was safer to eliminate them.

I don’t know whether you’re a librarian or not but this kind of blanket statement is extremely insulting to people who are working hard to make public libraries better and it reflects the dangerous ignorance that’s being used to justify slashing public library budgets at a time when they could be doing the most good.

It’s fair to criticize the FLP for its hours and book drops but it’s not as though we’re making no impact at all. The library just underwent a major study to examine its real impact on the community and you can find the results here: http://www.freelibrary.org/about/felsstudy.htm

Again, criticism leveled from a place of ignorance can easily turn into harmful rhetoric that belittles the good work that the library is doing each and every day.

Our computers are used all day every day- but much less often for job applications than games, facebook (even myspace still), etc.

Why don’t we just put computer labs in small storefronts throughout the area and staff them with tech people, or people like the Apple store has, for way less money. Surely that would meet that need at less of a burden.