------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the April 3, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
A PEOPLE'S RESOURCE
SAVE COMMUNITY LIBRARIES
By Pat Hilliard
How can you keep up with the activities of the people's struggle against war and racism if you don't have a computer? Try visiting your local library.
Libraries in the past were places for books only, but today's modern library has video and audio tapes and offers free computer use. Libraries are also offering other services such as places to meet and discuss today's issues.
Libraries do not limit themselves to English only, but offer newspapers and books in many different languages. For instance, the Jersey City Public Library offers Informe, a database of Spanish-language journals and newspapers.
However, libraries, like every other social service, are under attack and must be defended. Budget cuts are limiting the hours and staff available to assist library patrons.
In Virginia, for example, the public library system faces budget cuts as high as 15 percent. In New York State, which has a budget of $90 billion, libraries in upstate towns are taking a heavy hit. Because of Washington's aggressive war moves, the state is saddled with big outlays for "home land security"--including extra troopers on the U.S.-Canada border and at bridges, reservoirs and other key points. All this is eating into schools, libraries and other services.
Bookmobiles, which often go to rural areas, are being discontinued completely. In North Carolina, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and many other states, branch offices of libraries are being closed and books and equipment are being put into storage.
The American Library Association reported on its Internet site the thoughts of one library patron: "I feel that we need the neighborhood libraries, for us, the older ones, and for the children," said Marie Benedict, who comes in once a week to send e-mail to her great- grandchildren. "I grew up with a library."
Activists are in the streets demanding funding for schools, education and libraries, not war. They are also standing up to the government's recent attempt to intimidate patrons from using the library. Libraries have been in a struggle with the Department of Homeland Security about reporting what library patrons read and look at on the Internet. Some libraries have posted signs letting patrons know that what they look at may be reported. This is part of the Patriot Act, which demands that Internet servers report what people research from computers, whether at home or in the library.
Part of the struggle against war and racism is going to your local library and creating library defense committees. While you are there, be sure to look up the many Internet sites that bolster the people's struggle. Of course, there is www.workers.org for Workers World newspaper and www.peoplesvideo.org for Peoples Video Network. These will help give you ideas on what to do to defend our community libraries. n
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