Comments on: Fallston Library Saved By System-Wide Layoffs, Furloughs And Sunday Closures

By: Aravinda

Aravinda — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:43:57 +0000

Yes, you are right. I hope that with appropriate planning we can restore staff and services to Harford County Library sooner rather than later.

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:11:43 +0000

Everything comes at a price. I hope this proves to be worth it. How many additional staff have to be laid off to save one branch of the library? We are blessed with wonderful librarians and staff in Harford County and I am sad to hear that any of them have to be let go. Library is more than books and buildings, the staff are the heart and soul. I hope we can all move forward, rebuild our economy and restore staff to our libraries soon.

By: Aravinda

Aravinda — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:59:58 +0000

Seems to be a reasonable compromise. Congratulations to those who could work it out. We should also work out ways to make sure this is a temporary compromise. Maybe some items are better off reduced, but in the long run we should aim to restore hours of service. Library is one of our most cost-effective services with widespread and long term direct and indirect benefits to the community. Looking back I would not hesitate to say libraries contributed as much or probably far more to my learning than school itself, and I can confidently say the same for the current generation, with due appreciation to our school system. Apart from academic learning and exposure to ideas, libraries foster a civic sense, and a safe space for inner reflection. Just to mention a few – tangible and intangible benefits are numerous. Cut libraries and we will surely end up paying elsewhere without necessarily realizing the connection. As a friend in high school once shared in an awestruck whisper, as we wound through the 300s to the 600s in the nonfiction stacks of Bel Air library, “the library shows that everything is connected.”