Nope, didn't take the metaphor too far, John. And yes, we don't seem to learn from "crisis" situations like this; rather, once the "crisis" is over, our government seems to think everything's a-ok and goes back to the habits that brought these problems in the first place.

Raylene...yes, in a perfect society, that is how things would work. I wish more of us worried about our fellow human beings instead of our "me" mentality. Unfortunately, we also have a horrible economy out there right now and many people are saving their money instead of donating. I don't think many people look at their taxes as the revenue that they are. Believe me, as a unmarried single with no dependents, I'm not always a big fan of having about a third of my paycheck gone before it reaches my hands. But, I also have to remember that I don't want to live in a society that disregards the "less fortunate" to get a few more bucks every two weeks (or, even worse, what our society would become).
 
Girlfriday brings up an interesting point, too. What's really interesting is that most government funding is not based on the affluence of the community, but rather by population numbers.

Edited by author 06-06-2003 02:13 PM
I just have to say, John, that your letter originally got me all fired up because that's precisely the mentality that keeps our taxes going up. It's not the governments responsibility to fund every darned thing.

Libraries are good things. I use mine weekly. But if we need more money for welfare or defense or roads or (insert whatever else we fund here) than how about we have a book drive and donate the books and use the tax money for other things. If we can get people to donate food to a soup kitchen or books to a library or blankets/toothpaste/etc to a shelter rather than force it out of them though taxes, this is good.

This is how a society is supposed to work.

Look at libraries reaping the benefits and taking away from those actually in need. There's already what I would call abuse of generosity. The library in Burlingame calling for help from a flood. Bwah! Yes, there was a flood. Yes, books got ruined. What they don't tell you is Burlingame is in the top five affluent suburbs of San Francisco. That town takes care of its library having just paid for a huge renovation and restoration keeping the historical integrity intact. But there they are, getting the same level of attention as Oakland so people not familiar with the area can't tell who needs it more.

randommuse-Jennifer, I totally agree. And I still think we're doing the right thing helping out OPL and other libraries. I just wanted to raise the issue of the larger picture and potential impacts if we don't cvontinue on past clicking a few links at amazon and opening our wallets.

obviously, you can't fix the roof when the house is on fire, so to speak. But we should be aware of what needs to be done after the blaze has been extinguished. To stretch a metaphor far further than it has any business going, let make sure they don't eliminate the fire brigade, just because we were good at passing the bucket.

I mostly agree with John's argument, but there are a couple of issues that I think need to be considered. First of all, I work in a non-profit setting that relies on state/federal government funding to provide services to persons 60 and older. Because of a $700,000 cut in state congregate meals, we can either (a) step up our donations campaign, or (b) tell the elderly in the state that we can no longer serve them meals and lay-off staff. It's difficult to think "big picture" of what you're philosophically doing when those are your options. Also, most programs that rely on government funding still rely on donations to provide services, even in a good budgetary climate.
I do understand our current administration's goal of purchasing weapons (not of mass destruction, of course) and seeing if everything else can be "privatized." But, to give the "wishy-washy" answer, please get involved in the political scene as John suggested (especially at the local level...I work with legislation as part of my job and seem to be the only thirty-something at any political event), but also be a regular donator to something, ANYTHING! If there is a cause that you believe in, please make it a point to donate something (as this book drive showed, it doesn't always have to be money; many organizations also need your time or other donations) and do it on a regular basis. Thanks!

Austin Public Library

This is a great page, created to let people know how they can help. If your library doesn't have one, why not suggest one? Or volunteer to help them create one?

There's nothing bad about buying books for a library. Of course there's more to do, and other ways to help. Bringing a situation to people's attention and letting them know what they can do to help is a great way to enact change.

Let me be clear: I was intending to denigrate the book drive. I still think it rules. But look at how many things the current federal government wants to privatize. Look how state and federal government has been cutting taxes and stripping resources from budgets in the last few years.

OPL lost their book buying funds because of a hole in the budget. Hopefully, if this situation arises again, the decision makers will see the reaction from this year, and realize that libraries are important to the people and safeguard the funds. But I am concerned that they'll take the opposite approach and hope the private secor will bail them out again.

It's risky to fund public goods with private donations. If you come up short, you're screwed, and it happens.

Best way to initiate change is to organize and vote, starting at the local levels. Voting is a learned behavior, and when people get into a pattern of voting over a period of time, they tend to continue it and it gives them power. Our voter turnouts in this country are just short of pathetic. One of the biggest reasons is people don't think it matters. To those people who still think that, I suggest you take a look at the 2000 presidential election again. Still feel that way?

Next best way I can think of to effect change is to run for office yourself. County Commissioners have remarkable power. Same with School Boards. And these are places that need more dedicated people to step up and challenge with fresh ideas and passion. Even a loss can change the entire tenor of debate.

Do you think donating books to Oakland sets a "dangerous precedent?" How much danger is there in philanthropy?

What is the best way to initiate change?

How have you been helping your own local branches? Have you been spreading the word?

Oh, man. The OPL made me start a forum again!