Action Needed Now

I have been around books my entire life. As a child, I read more than I ate. On days when my mother was off work, she’d take me to the library where I’d quietly stay until it closed. On special days, like my birthday, she’d bring me to the central branch, which had two floors instead of one and housed a giant pirate ship on the ground level. I’d hide under the mast with Little Women until my mom found me, hours later.

As many of you know, I'm currently getting my master's degree in Library Sciences. Because of this, I stay up to date on the library world. Something I read Friday greatly angered me.

There's a strong chance that the State of Florida is getting rid of all state and federal funding for libraries. That's right - no funding at all.

Now, I'm not upset because I want to work in the field, no, I'm upset because this lack of funding means less library staff members and, soon, I'm sure, less libraries.

Last year the state greatly reduced education funding - this year they're cutting libraries. I honestly don't understand where all of the money is going - and why other areas are prioritized over these areas.

Let's reflect for a second on how much I owe to the library:

• I didn't have a computer growing up, so I taught myself how to type on the library computers. 
• I read books exceedingly fast as a child, and my parents couldn't afford buying me new ones every week, so thanks to the library, I managed to read all of the Babysitters Club, Fear Street, and Sweet Valley (kids, twins, and high) books. 
• I found all of my monologues and acting scenes from library books.
• Truthfully, I hid from bullies in the middle school library.

The thing is, I see libraries as staples - they're always there. They're always more than willing to give you the information you need. So why get rid of them? Here are some reasons I've read so far:

• People don't read books anymore. Really? Okay, but you know there's more to a library, right? What about the classes? The events? The ability to rent DVDs? 
• Everyone just gets information off the Internet. Did you know that not everyone owns a computer? And even if they do, some people still don't have the Internet. 
• They can just stop buying new books. Money is still needed to keep a library in operation. Also - that's a stupid solution. 

Anyway, if you feel strongly like me, please read this bulletin about it, and then send a letter demanding this proposal to be revoked. Because if it isn't, libraries are going to close, plain and simple. And I really don't want to see the day when a kid can't hide under a fake pirate ship at the central branch of a library and read without fear or outside influences - just enjoy a book because they can.