tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post276991604177613171..comments2024-03-28T22:01:11.059-04:00Comments on Murder is Everywhere: The £180 million library that couldn’t afford books, and the homeless young man who changed his life in a library: why we should fight for our librariesOvidia Yuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749549092493567689noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-57017715878973856382015-08-21T05:43:32.954-04:002015-08-21T05:43:32.954-04:00But people like this boy need libraries. That'...But people like this boy need libraries. That's one of the major necessities of life, like health care, food, housing that people need to nurture their minds.<br /><br />A friend was telling me that her three grandchildren watch and listen to the Internet and its social media and games for hours on end. When I asked if they read books, she -- a constant reader -- said sadly that they do not.<br /><br />If libraries are cut back or closed and all children do is play video games or go on Facebook or other social media sites, how can they develop as people, learn about other cultures, countries, experiences, emotions?<br /><br />This is all such a tragedy and it's absurd.<br /><br />What horrific priorities these governments have. Children's minds matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-9610424735920297812015-08-17T09:43:50.803-04:002015-08-17T09:43:50.803-04:00His results are remarkable, aren't they, Jeff?...His results are remarkable, aren't they, Jeff? As for the Library of Birmingham, it's just very very sad.Zoë Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14065427744062846167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-77880437588892334852015-08-17T09:42:52.606-04:002015-08-17T09:42:52.606-04:00Hi Kathy
I know. I was as horrified as you about ...Hi Kathy<br /><br />I know. I was as horrified as you about the cost of this library when they can't afford to stock it or staff it. Libraries have also been a big influence on my life, particularly back when I used to live on a boat and we didn't have the room for books of our own. And when I published my first book, it was my local public library, not the local chain bookstore, who put on events for me and gave me support. Definitely worth fighting for.Zoë Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14065427744062846167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-60506983459802504102015-08-17T09:39:51.728-04:002015-08-17T09:39:51.728-04:00Love the cartoons, EvKa. Donald Trump seems to be ...Love the cartoons, EvKa. Donald Trump seems to be coming under a little fire at the moment, doesn't he?Zoë Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14065427744062846167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-30153389908278068852015-08-16T22:44:24.153-04:002015-08-16T22:44:24.153-04:00I love the story about the boy and the library. It...I love the story about the boy and the library. It's a tale of the world's successes. As for Birmingham and it's library, that's one of its farfaronade excesses...and there are so many of examples of that these days that I'd say the world is farfalen.Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-27695321613625696082015-08-16T05:52:52.736-04:002015-08-16T05:52:52.736-04:00This is like reading another version of The Agony ...This is like reading another version of The Agony and the Ecstasy. I want to weep over the defunding of this magnificent library and the layoffs and lack of funds to buy books or do anything else.<br />Libraries are so important; they were to me in my young life and still are. Everyone who loves reading had great library experiences.<br />And this young man's achievements hail the positive aspects of public libraries.<br />I hope people are up in arms over the cutbacks for the library and complaining to the government.<br />We have problems in the States over defunding of libraries. The library website in my big city always asks for donations, and petitions are often circulated to oppose funding cuts. <br />Children are effected, so are the elderly with fewer library branches and shorter hours.<br />And the lack of books! If one went to my branch to cool off during the hot summer days, there would only be a few "best-sellers" to read. The shelves are nearly bare.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-75668877675937011912015-08-16T01:05:21.171-04:002015-08-16T01:05:21.171-04:00Also related to 'fanfare', no doubt? Spea...Also related to 'fanfare', no doubt? Speaking of swaggering, arrogant, boasting, blustering... have you guys been reading the new Bloom County strips? Particularly the past 2-3 days applies here, I think. If not, go to:<br /> http://tinyurl.com/q7rtrvu<br />to see Berkeley Breathed's latest creations.Everett Kaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371555243187874414noreply@blogger.com