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Philadelphia libraries to close Oct. 2
Pennsylvania's budget deadlock also means 3,000 city employees could get pink slips on Friday.
The City of Brotherly Love isn't showing much to book lovers.
All 54 of Philadelphia's libraries are scheduled to close because the state of Pennsylvania has not been able to pass a budget to fund the library system.
"All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled," the Free Library posted in a notice on its Web site. All 250,000 books, disks and other items that have been borrowed are now due Oct. 1, and nothing can be borrowed after Sept. 30.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are still deadlocked over a proposed state budget that was supposed to have been enacted on July 1.
Gov. Ed Rendell on Monday said he would veto a legislative budget plan proposed last Friday, calling the $27.9 budget proposal an overestimation of the sources of revenue needed to balance the budget.
Philadelphia had been banking on a 1% sales tax increase and a change in pension payment plans to help it fund library operations. If the budget does not pass within the next two weeks, the city said it will lay off all library employees.
The state budget mess could also force Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to move forward on his so-called "Plan C" doomsday budget, beyond the closure of the libraries. Plan C would lay off 3,000 city workers, eliminate court-system funding and shut down all recreation centers. The city will send out pink slips to the 3,000 employees on Friday unless the budget passes before then.
Philadelphia's library system is the sixth-largest public library in the nation. Benjamin Franklin created its precursor, the Library Company of Philadelphia, which was the first public library in the country.
Ben,
The Kennedys kill and rape people.
Did you go to college? Kennedy ran murderous clandestine operations along side the US Army and CIA in Cuba and Indochina. You're a moron.
Run a spell check next time too, ****.
shrinkingwoman: there are educated, library using, sports fans and many of us don't drink!
I agree that at least some of the libraries should stay open and that there are other areas that could be cut back, but sports programs are important. Why can't kids have both?
First of all, libraries should not be going extinct. Not only do they provide safe learning havens with their friendly staff and after-school programs, they encourage literacy, provide computer and Internet access that people might not otherwise have, they are FREE, they contain rare and expensive books that people absolutely cannot afford to buy, they hold valuable archives, AND, there's the big kicker, library staff are trained to help people find information. Not just any information--GOOD and reliable information. Not everyone can tell a good Website from a bad one, and we all know that the Internet is bursting at the seams with lies and hoaxes and bad information. Librarians sort through the crap to get you good information, and they pass their knowledge on to you so that you can find good information, too, because good information is the basis of an intelligent, free society. Where are we without libraries? In deep ****.
With all due respect, within the numerous comments, it's mentioned that libraries "are going the way of dinosaurs --extinction." While, yes, it's true that you can get your books, research, and entertainment all through the use of your computer, I still believe that libraries benefit the many. Its patrons are provided with positive services such as literacy lessons, tutoring, computer lessons and use, children's programs, book discussions, art programs, and just an endless wealth of resources to all. It's a privilege to be able to choose if you will use a pc or visit a library! I'm grateful to know that I was and am still able to visit a library at any moment in my life. I may have grown up from the "old school", but I still want libraries to exist. I have seen people "grow" with the use of their libraries, friendships, families, individuals, communities, and all come together here --it's all connected, positive, and wonderful. Libraries are here for the people! Please, don't shut them down! And besides, I need a break from computers every now and then.
Shame on you Philly! Always enough money to pad special projects, keep the politicians in style and waste the taxpayers money but not enough to keep libraries. Anything to hold your poor taxpayers hostage. I hope your voting public gets some officials elected that will actually do what the taxpayers elect them to do and run your government honestly and in accordance to what the people who've elected them want done.
It seems that governmental greed is almost as bad if not worse than corporate greed.
Why in the hell does it always have to be to be the taxpayers who take it on the chin when the government and corporations screw up and can't do business honestly and fairly?
1998 is a bleak year for the Democrats signing the declaration of people power over to the banks and finishing off what Reagan began in 1972 is something no one will forgive Bill Clinton. Allan Greenspan is Allan Greenspan. No President since JFK has tried to take on Wall St or the Hawks in the American Army.
Long live the KENNNEDY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!
The question isn't about republican or democrat, those are diversions for people who are religiously locked into a failed world view but don't know it ( ideologues?). The real question is out of the money saved, which politician get's a vacation in the Virgin Islands?
There's a principle here; Fools and their money are soon parted. Don't read, don't get a larger in depth view of a subject so what can a man do? Believe in superstition and myth instead of theology and history. Believe that balancing your check book is the same skill set as understanding physics.
Believe that when you pay taxes, you're buying prosperity.
I rest my case, fools and their money are soon parted.
StockScouter data provided by Gradient Analytics, Inc.
Quotes supplied by Interactive Data.
MSN Money's editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. Our articles, columns, message board posts and other features should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft of any specific security or trading strategy. An investor's best course of action must be based on individual circumstances.
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