I don't mean to insult librarians, but libraries in Pennsylvania are second-rate at best. I've lived in much smaller counties in Ohio and Indiana that had much bigger and much better libraries. Considering that Ben Franklin, who owned the first print shop in Lancaster, set up the first public library in the New World, you'd think we'd do better.

In Ohio, the libraries are supported by their own taxes. Ohioans get to vote a lot more on real estate tax issues. I can recall many times that a number of tax levies would be on the ballot, and all the levies would be voted down except the library tax. Libraries are important.

Employers Prefer Readers

In a community with third-rate schools, second-rate libraries are unacceptable. Fifty years ago, International Paper ran a series of advertisements in a wide variety of magazines - and not just the "literary" magazines, but magazines like Mechanix Illustrated, Popular Science and Argosy - that had the picture of a man (I don't remember any women) with his profille, and at the bottom, the punchline was that's why so many employers say "Send me a man who reads."

People who habitually read are more knowledgeable about a variety of topics, and it's not just reading nonfiction that contributes to your education. Reading Louis L'Amour westerns, one learns about botany, about animal husbandry, about military tactics. Reading Tom Clancy thrillers, one learns how the international - and neighborhood - drug trade works, about diplomacy and international relations. Reading John Grisham novels, one learns about how the legal system works. It's important that our neighbors read - because in this country, their votes count as much as the votes of people who actually have an idea what's going on, and what various candidates stand for.

I Wrote To Mike

So I wrote a note to Mike Sturla letting him know that I consider libraries to be essential, and urging that their state support not be reduced. Mike is such a strong candidate that last time around, the GOP didn't even bother to field a candidate. None the less, he needs to know what we want him to do.

Mr. Sturla wrote back, and I received the mail today. His letter says:

In your e-mail you specifically addressed library funding. While libraries share in this year's cutbacks, I was able to help restore some of the drastic reductions originally proposed by Senate Republicans last May. Overall, we restored public funding to nearly 80 percent of last year's appropriation, and where the Senate eliminated Library Access funding, the final agreement funds it at $3 million.

The Budget Mess

It's been a tough year for legislators. Nobody got what they wanted in the state budget. I don't like this cut, but I'm so happy that they finally passed a budget that I'll not excoriate Mike Sturla for allowing the library budget to be cut.

On the other hand, we need more money for libraries, not less. and I believe voters will support libraries that have shown themselves to be good stewards of the money they receive. I would ask that you join me in asking Mike Sturla to introduce legislation allowing voters to levy themselves, supporting their local public libraries with a real estate tax instead of having them supported through taxes that pass through other political bodies.

Other Bloggers On Related Topics:
Ben Franklin - International Paper - Lancaster - libraries - Mike Sturla - Pennsylvania budget - printer - taxes