Thanks Jenny!
I agree, libraries play a key role in teaching children a lifelong love of reading and learning. I grew up in Perry, and some of my happiest memories are going to the Perry Library as a kid, and the stacks of books I'd come home with.

However, Jenny, the times...they are a changin', eh? While I'd never argue against Taylor's hands-on programs to foster a child's appreciation of actually holding a book in their hands, learning to decipher those funny little squiggles on a piece of paper, building their self-esteem, secure in the knowledge that there are adults outside their family that are concerned about their well-being...the provision of mere entertainment through the offering of dvd's or cd's in general is another matter. Somehow, in these strained economic times, the diversion of folks' hard-earned income, especially through something as onerous as a property tax, to a public entity so that it might compete with such private enterprises as Netflix or Redbox or Family Video seems ill-advised.

Robin,

"However, Jenny, the times...they are a changin', eh?" Yes, and no. One thing that a Library offers every person who walks through its doors is the commitment to their own advancement/enjoyment with no preset conditions or profit motive. I agree that the burden of property taxes must be supported by overwhelming positive results by those who are funded by them. It is my opinion that Libraries do this and, in one of the few instances of tax funded organizations, outshine the private sector players such as you mention.

Not exactly a fair comparison, JT. Taylor is what it is and Redbox is what it is; an outstanding business plan in direct challenge to it's industry's big-boys. In any case, I agree with you that there are many other public entities that have only dreamed about being as effective as our Library. However, if it goes the way of our local public universities as far as State funding goes, it just may need to incorporate such popular offerings into it's core mandate...at a nominal fee(?).

Um...perhaps you folk should have used different pictures to help you distinguish between The Library After The Levy and Poolside Reads??? I do believe that both I & JT posted to the former, thank you.