Better Than It Was Before. Better, Stronger, Faster.

Ah the continuing image problem of the public library. Once again, when I've told friends about how badly our public libraries have it right now, the inevitable response is "I just saw something on the news that says more people are using the library than ever." Yes, the bad economy means more people are in the library, but that doesn't create funding. Our public libraries are now all closed on Sunday. The mayor put out this brilliant piece of spin when it first occurred.

The real tragedy is that just as libraries are really at a point where they can use interactive technology to make the library more and more relevant, there are fewer and fewer funds available to do it. First we rejected a new tax, which regardless of the politics surrounding it, would have provided funds. Those who said we didn't need the tax claimed that a bond proposal would take up the slack. Of course after the tax didn't pass no one heard another word about a bond.

We hear about tax revolts...well maybe it is time for the librarians to revolt. That's right, let's see what happens if we go Lysistrata on the public's ass.