Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 11/29/2004, you wrote:
> People mention books over and over -
> seems like I'm the only one who goes
> to the *library* - homesteaders, if you
> don't patronize your library system/branch,
> it will be taken away from you ..

The Bryson book came from the library and I just returned 5 books and there 
is one more in the pickup that needs returned.  I am a heavy user of the 
library making at least one trip a week.  Still the county sees fit to 
spend money on another helicopter rather than on the library.  The main 
library is a 50s era building with leaks and poor access but the county 
would rather build a new jail.  The politicians got themselves elected by 
"law and order", none of this touchy feely intellectual stuff for them.  In 
fact one county supervisor said the solder who killed a wounded Iraqi 
should be given a medal.

> . I live
> in a huge city, and the branch libraries
> have people in them all day every day,
> nevertheless, library hours have been
> cut, library staff has been cut, and the
> latest measure was to close all branches
> one week each *quarter* so no more
> people would be laid off - I am waiting
> to see if that's enough or if branch use
> is going to be monitored next to determine
> where branches may be closed.

Here they have cut staff, hours, and book purchases and still are looking 
for ways to cut even more.  Just over a year we had a new branch open but 
the shelves were only 1/3 full.Just keep them dumb by cutting libraries and 
schools then maybe they will be good little citizens, go to church, and 
become fodder for another silly war.

Don Bowen
Awl Knotted Up Woodworking
Valley Center, CA             http://www.braingarage.com