What kind of civilisation closes its libraries, for fuck's sake? Quote, unquote

Alas, the shuttering of public libraries continues worldwide, as evidenced in the Quinquireme
blog about lovely, remote Penryn, Cornwall, in the U.K.  To quote:

"where will the Blue Kitten get her Turn-the-Wheel with Spot books from now?" and "what kind of civilisation closes its libraries, for fuck's sake", and "there goes another community focal point" and "how can we expect standards of literacy to rise if this is the kind of thing we let happen?"

Poet Allen Ginsberg asked, "America, why are your libraries so full of tears?"

At least, in the city of Los Angeles, voters have the opportunity to pass ballot Measure L that will  revise the City Charter to increase the percentage of assessed property taxes dedicated to Library funding.  As supporters note, this is not a tax, just an expansion of a requirement in existence since 1878.  The Obsessive Reader will check back after the L.A. election March 8th to report on victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




And I promise next post to list some of my FAVORITE things, including wonderful, independent book publishers and literary delights.

Happy New Year!