Last week, we talked about how small and rural libraries are hit harder by cuts to federal funds than libraries in big cities. Here’s what you all had to say.
Mary L. wrote: “I’m concerned about public access to information at our public libraries as they, along with our free press, not coerced not threatened, are our first bastion to freedom. Without freedom to access information only the wealthy will have access, and that would leave most of us ignorant. These along with public schools, not indoctrinated public schools, are what make us free with the opportunity to achieve whatever we want.”
Sharil S. wrote: “I found the article on reduced federal funding for libraries very interesting. I had no idea that the federal government used taxpayer money to support libraries. I live in a rural area, and do not have free access to a local library. I can pay $125 annually to buy a library card from my closest big city library. So how do these federal funds get utilized equitably if the U.S. doesn't have universal library services? Unless the U.S. decides to have universal library services, perhaps it's better to save taxpayer money and pay down the national debt.”
Carole S. wrote: “The importance of free libraries cannot be overstated. I wrote to my roster of federal and state senators and representatives to encourage their utmost efforts to mitigate the damage being done to the IMLS system. This should be the flashpoint that reignites our democracy. Why is this not happening? How can we make this happen?”
That’s it for today! See you next week.
P.S., if a friend sent you this newsletter and you want to sign up, the place to do it is npr.org/newsletter/books. :)
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