How would you feel if your local library closed?

United States
April 18, 2011 1:26pm CST
In our area awhile back it was greatly being considered. I think that if our local library closed down it would be a horrible loss to the community. My family uses the library for varies means. It is an awesome resource that should be provided for a community. At the time that this was all being considered I couldn't even believe that it was even being thought of. Children need libraries as well. How would the closing of your local library affect you and your family?
4 people like this
10 responses
• United States
19 Apr 11
I'd be pretty upset. It's somewhere my husband and I frequent multiple times a week. We don't have cable at home, simply because the only thing we'd watch would be documentaries and the history channel, and those are free to check out at the library. My husband checks out and returns books multiple times a week there. When movies are put onto DVD, we don't consider paying to rent them...we use only the library (unless there is the rare case where we have a free rental from Redbox). In a time where schools require papers to be typed, libraries need to be free and easy to access. I've always hated the assumption that everyone has a computer, or everyone has a cell phone, or whatever the new technology is. No, everyone doesn't, because not everyone can afford one. Libraries help people with meeting that need. The library and the postal service are two public services and locations that, if they closed, my life and hobbies would be altered. If they considered doing that around here I would send letters, protest, and do whatever I had to to keep it from completion. Rarely do I feel an issue is so personal to me.
• United States
19 Apr 11
*Just a comment...I didn't mean to say that the inability to afford technology is the only reason people don't have it. That came out wrong. Personally, I don't own a cell phone because I don't believe in texting and I like peace and quiet. Plus, they're expensive. So I'm not biased. Promise.
• United States
21 Oct 11
I completely agree with you. I just absolutely love your attitude and the way you and your husband view and do things. My husband and I did write letters and signed petitions when this was happening because if our library was going to be closed we wanted those with authority to hear how important it is to us. I agree that it is frustrating when people think that everyone has certain technology. We for a long time didn't have internet and the library is where we went for many different things. Yes cell phones and all that goes with it can be irritating :). It is amazing how many people can call when you don't want them too, or you just perhaps need a little down time. And people seem to always feel they need to reach you and they can because all they have to do is call that number. If a person doesn't have one then people aren't able to. Thankfully our library was closed because of all the great people who spoke out. The hours were reduced and a few librarians lost their job and that is sad. But I'm thankful that it didn't close down.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
18 Apr 11
Oh what a horrible thought, I don't know what I'd do without my library. A couple year ago, they did have to close the library on Fridays and had shorten the time they were opened on Saturdays due to budget cuts, but thankfully the hours are back to normal..In fact I am using them now to get a book I need to help me with my math, so I am grateful I spotted this post to remind me to pick up that book..:)
• United States
20 Oct 11
Yes Dominique, it is sad when libraries are affected when budgets cuts come into play..
• United States
20 Oct 11
Yeah things would be so different if our libraries close down. It offers a great number of resources for everyone. When budgets are cut it greatly affects the library. It's hard to see budgets cut at libraries when I'm sure they could be cut elsewhere.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
19 Apr 11
mine actually did for renovations so we had to travelto another branch that was a bit farther. i visit the library once a week so i would really miss it if they closed.
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
18 Apr 11
I would feel so desolate if the library in the community I live in closes down. That's the place I spend my weekends often, reading my favorite books and magazines. That has been my way of relaxation after having spent a long week at work, so stressful.
• United States
20 Oct 11
Our library use to be open on saturdays which was great. Unfortunately now they aren't open for the weekends anymore. Having the library open on the weekend was such a great thing. I'm glad that you are able to relax this way away from work.
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
18 Apr 11
I believe that Libraries should never close down. They are a great place for information and for learning. Although you could access a good portion of the library on the internet, it does not replace the real thing. I like the library.
• United States
20 Oct 11
I too agree with you that a library can't be replace. Having a library allows for a person to grow in knowledge and understanding of a wealth of different things. A person is able to do this without having to spend money.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Exactly. Also, going to the library gives the person something to do in addition to learning something new. If everything were online, then no one would have a need to ever leave the house. We all need to get out everyday.
18 Apr 11
A library is a place where many great knowledges are being stored and is easily accessed by everyone. By closing down the library, it is like a sign saying "You people around here doesn't deserve to learn" and of course, will anger me. The poors need the library to study because most of them cannot afford to buy a PC and use the internet. The wise needs a really reliable source and library is one of the best place to get it. The worker studies or come ups with new ideas using books in the library. Shutting down a library is by itself, a dumb idea.
• United States
17 Oct 11
I wholeheartedly agree with you that shutting a library is really dumb. I couldn't even believe all that was going on when the mayor of our state was considering it. Like you mentioned there are so many benefits that a library provides. There are many other things that aren't necessary that could be closed. But a library is needed for many people.
• United Kingdom
19 Apr 11
Well, once upon a time I would feel quite bad about it. However things have changed and I no longer visit my local library. I used to go there for Internet access but now I have Internet access in my home and it's much more convenient. I used to take out the occasional book but really, my local library is unneccessary for me now although I accept that there will be lots of people that have come to rely on their local library and their thoughts and reflections should be taken into consideration on this matter. On a positive note I suppose any local library does act as a kind of central meet up point if that makes any sense! There will be some people that visit their library in order to see people and spend some time there reading a good book. There's generally peace and quiet to be found in a place such as this. I've seen lots of stories on the news now about libraries closing and it's definitely a sad state of affairs. Andrew
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
19 Apr 11
Ever since childhood I have enjoyed visiting the local library where i lived. It would be sad and discouraging not to be able to have the opportunity to visit libraries. so much would be missed out by so many.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
19 Apr 11
For me so sad I don't have many noted to know by closing it.
19 Apr 11
That would be the worst thing for me! I'm a book-worm :D And I love to go to the library to read books.