"I wonder how the residents of Wicomico County feel about building a new library. We are all talking about going "green". Why cant the Library be green. Why cant we have some up to date computers in a building. The space a computer takes up is small. I used to go to the library to find instruction, information and what I found was outdated or did not exist. I have a computer now and can find ANYTHING I need. If I want to read a book I can read it on line or if I want the book I can download it to my printer and go sit and read it. I wonder how many people actually go thru the doors of the library? Is it really worth it to build a building to store outdated books, information. We are in a recession. Do we need a fancy building and for what? I would like to read your comments."
Editor: I firmly agree. It amazes me to no end that the County would even consider such a project. With computer technology, books are on their way out and future generations, (not that we don't already have it today) will rely more on computers than they will Library's.
I am firmly against the County spending a single penny on a new facility and hope others get together and fight against this new proposed project. However Folks, YOU are the ones that can make the biggest difference. YOU need to start showing up at meetings and writing your Mayor and County Executive and tell them you won't stand for it. YOU need to make these people accountable for these political decisions. Just because there's all this stimulus money floating around doesn't mean we need to abuse it.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
19 comments:
what are you going to read when your computer goes down or the power goes out??
Well, you won't be reading in the Library or using their computer when the power goes out either. Come on now, stop being so stupid.
Isn't what's IN the library more important anyway? A library can be a great place for kid-friendly activities, but do we really need a brand new building to do that?
Were in the biggest DEPRESSION many of us have ever seen, STOP SPENDING MONEY. How hard is that to understand? Stimulous money didnt grow on a money tree, its tax payer money and its not FREE.
I am a parent of 2 small children and reading is a huge part of our lives. Despite having a nice personal library at home we visit the library with our kids every other week to check out books that we do not own.
Our county library is a wonderful resource for children's books and enables parents who may not be able to purchase the latest and greatest books expose their children to reading.
With all the improvements that need to made in the county I'm not sure that the library should be at the top of the list. But, there is no question that we do need a library for the children in this community.
No, no, no - we do not need a new building. Paint, polish and update some and that's all it takes, it certainly doesn't take a new building in a new location when there is not a thing wrong with where it is now. This city/county is all about spend, spend, spend and good old boy system. Just because you have money in your bank account, do you go out and buy a new house and put new furniture in it? I think not when all it probably takes is some updating/painting/etc. Same principle applies here.
I heard they want to put the city offices in the library building. If the building structure cannot stand up under the weight of books how is it going to stand up under the weight of desks, chairs file cabinets, people. Do they have another excuse?
the drug dealers and homeless people need a new location to hang out in front of.
There is plenty of unused space inside the existing library. If there needs to be some rearranging to make room for more computers, then let's add that. Update some books/ okay! But we surely can get by with the wonderful resource that we have now through these tough times and years after.
I understand it's one of the greenest buildings in Salisbury today! Why abandon that???
I think the library is very important to the community BUT they need to refurbish the existing building and stick to a budget like the rest of us do instead of expecting an all new building.
A library is not just about books Joe. If you've ever spent much time in one, YOU would know. YOU need to look what is for the good of the community, not what is good for YOUR wallet. YOU should embrace change and growth that is needed, not criticize everything that doesn't have your input.
There are young students, who through no fault of their own, do NOT have access to internet service in their homes or the extra money to buy a book. Maybe it's time to look at things through the eyes of those children that live at poverty level and below. We freak when our home internet service goes out for a few hours. Imagine having the library as your only option or resource to access the information you need to complete a classroom assignment. I am glad that you are above having to go to the library, Joe, but not everyone has accomplished your brand independent wealth and social status. As for myself and my tax dollar, I fully support whatever endeavors are necessary to ensure the best future for our free public library and our children.
anonymous 1:55, YOU should stop telling ME what I can or can't say. I have allowed YOU your opinion and YOU should allow me mine.
One thing ALL of you should recognize here is that we can ALL agree to disagree on issues.
I personally disagree with what you have stated. Much of my reasoning for starters is based on the fact that you're clearly a very controlling person but you've met your match.
I am a LEADER, not one of your followers. I will accept change when it's clear the roof is falling in and the building wasn't designed to last at least 50 years and that's what the taxpayers paid for when they redesigned the building.
I disagree because your mentality is to try to convince people that some of you wet pants liberals, (as always) get bored with things and you just want to spend money to build something new. You're probably very young and have been a spoiled brat who had college paid for and credit cards from your parents as well as a free car. You clearly have never known what it's like to work and earn and don't come back here trying to tell everyone that's not you because I can see from your style I have you pegged to a tee.
My Father in Law happened to be the Director of the Wicomico Library System for many years until he retired. He was deeply involved in that exact building and he's irate over the idea that they would even present such a package.
It's VERY clear that former Mayor Barrie Tilghman wanted that building simply to create a new GOB for the City alone. Hence their refusal to sign any agreement that they would buy 1/2 of the current GOB.
Of course Ireton being the tax and spend liberal that he is will probably agree and pipss away millions of the taxpayers dollars to move this forward.
Anyhow, I used Library's much of my life. Hell, we couldn't afford to buy a single book when I was younger and we always used the Library as our main resource for information.
If I were to tell ANY one of our kids to go to the Library and look it up, they'd laugh so hard at me, say, look old man, have you ever used a COMPUTER! Use your heads you fools, this is a political scam.
I worked for a library in another state and have to say that the library is a wonderful resource for the community. With unemployment high, more and more people are using the library, whether it is for books, cds, dvds, using the computers or attending a library sponsored event. I think a new library would be wonderful for the city and the people.
Wrong time and place!
>>>rely more on computers than they will Library's.<<<
Ironically enough, here's a good example of why more folks SHOULD be using the library (to learn proper grammar and punctuation).
Teasing aside, I think a town without a free public library is a sad thing. My parents took me for my first library card when it was located where the police station is now, and I remember fondly many Saturdays spent at the library in its current location (in its old incarnation). To assume that computers are going to make books obsolete is absurd.
However, I do agree that it's a nutty idea to tear down and start over again. The current library suffers from bad design, but that doesn't mean it has to be completely destroyed. The old library of the 60's and 70's was much more user-friendly, even with the open space upstairs (and I never understood how they figured the new one to be an improvement). Some creative shuffling could possibly do wonders.
Society is too quick to tear down what we think we've outgrown, and to replace it with something less practical and more expensive every decade or so. Let's start using what we have.
ptuscadero, here's a better one for you. "If it works, don't fix it."
When I was a kid we had an encylopedia we shared with other kids in the neighborhood. The library will be obsolete just like the encylopedia. Do not put our tax money in such a project.
Good Lord! I remember that long row of heavy old books! Every household NEEDED them, and when they were 5 years old, they NEEDED to be replaced!
I kind of agree that the Library is a changing beast, and the printed books will evolve to be online or audio MP3 podcasts. There will be more need for the internet computers for those who aren't connected. The existing building can easily morph in this direction as the "new libraries" will need less space.
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