Proposal to shutter Miami-Dade libraries draws fire

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Thursday, 07.14.11
Proposal to shutter Miami-Dade libraries draws fire

One item on the Miami-Dade County chopping block — eliminating 13 of 49 library branches — is drawing criticism.

By Matthew Haggman and Martha Brannigan
[email protected]

Seeking to close a $400 million budget gap, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s budget proposal, which includes a laundry list of cuts, features one particularly tough measure: shuttering 13 libraries across Greater Miami.

A decade ago, the county launched a library expansion plan that resulted in the opening of 18 branches. Now many of those would be closed. The reductions would save about $18 million, while eliminating 191 jobs in an overall plan that eliminates 1,292 positions countywide.

“This is one of the most difficult things any of us have had to do,” said Library Director Raymond Santiago. “But it is a tough time, and tough choices were made.”

The move comes as Gimenez is seeking to make good on his campaign promise to erase the highly unpopular property tax-rate increase passed under former mayor Carlos Alvarez and reduce the size of government.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2314852/proposal-to-shutter-miami-dade.html

[iwishiwas]

1. lets have more of the UNeducated. That is the GOP plan.

[Dumak]

2. Let me guess...

Gimenez is a Republican who is still upset over Castro's revolt against the old fascist Cuba. Ah, yes, life must have been so good back then, when all the good people had jobs serving the rich.

[Judi Lynn]

3. If they got lucky. If not, they only had seasonal work in the fields.

They liked the poor Cubans to be "invisible."

Racist pre-Revolution Cuba even refused to allow black Cubans to walk in the city parks where the Spanish Cubans wanted to go.

Virulently racist crowd of creeps.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. He is a Republican, but he is less Conservative than the Republican he defeated in

the election last month.

[Bragi]

4. Libraries are unaffordable luxuries

What makes anyone think the people in the near-richest country in the world can afford libraries? Don't they know we have drones to buy first.

[cstanleytech]

5. I have no problem with them shutting down some libraries to be honest

if its needed its need but in the future they may want to consider rather than building a library all on its own just expand the size of local high school, middle school and maybe even grade school libraries and use them for the community.

[No Elephants]

11. I am all for consolidation, but I'd rather leave the schools alone.

There are all kinds of security issues once you let in the general public.

[cstanleytech]

14. The schools already are pretty open atleast public ones

so adding or expanding the libraries where they can (in places where the library can have its own outdoor entrance) probably would not cause to many more (if any) security issues.

[robcon]

6. I think shutting down some libraries is appropriate.

People are not borrowing books as much, and libraries' biggest contribution is internet usage for those who do not have computers. Having fewer of them (in all/most cities?)is a correct read on the direction of public demand for libraries.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[No Elephants]

12. We have a small branch in my neighborhood. People borrow books and CD's (audio and video)

or tapes there all the time. (The library will order things from other branches, including the main branch and some cooperating libraries from nearby towns.)

People also come in to read the books and newspapers in the library and kids (accompanied by an adult) come in to play in a special area, especially good for toddlers in an urban area that may not otherwise have a lot of peer interaction. One of the employees also reads a book to the young uns every afternoon, which gives the adult escorts time to schmooze with each other.

The library shows a film (usually an oldie but goodie) once a week and also offers a discussion now again on a pre-assigned book (participation totally voluntary and you don't get scolded if you show up without reading the book, as I hadn't the only time I went).

I imagine people are using libraries in this Mayor's town, too, or they would not be so upset by the closings?

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. Voters are getting what they deserve

They recalled the last Mayor because he raised taxes instead of cutting services.

[No Elephants]

13. Do you happen to know which taxes? Property taxes?

[No Elephants]

10. People need to be educated. Costs rise. If you never want your taxes to rise as well,

then you will have to sacrifice some things you like.

So, make up your minds: do you want to starve the beast or not?

[Courtesy Flush]

15. I wonder if that Library Expansion Plan included higher taxes.

We had such a plan locally. We voted for higher taxes to pay for new libraries. It's been great. We have some very nice facilities for a small Southern town. But if they start telling us they have to shut them down to save money, they damn well better stop charging the tax we agreed to.