Comments on: Libraries, Literacy, and Community

By: Marilyn Belak

Marilyn Belak — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:30:39 +0000

Hey Mike
Libraries kept me sane in Philadelphia, even tho my car was towed while I was in reading once….they put the signs up after I parked and then towed me!!
Jenny and all of our Board at the DC Library Thank YOU for supporting free community.

By: Kurt Heinrich

Kurt Heinrich — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:24:57 +0000

That’s really unfortunate Stew. Good observation.

By: Stewart Burgess

Stewart Burgess — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:10:17 +0000

An HST related note — one of the proposed HST exemptions is vehicle fuel. Currently GST is charged on fuel, along with carbon tax and local gas taxes. PST is not charged. Thus current gas tax = 6% GST + carbon tax + local taxes. If HST is implemented, GST/HST will no longer be charged on gas, effectively undoing any price increases imposed by the incremental carbon tax. Gas tax will become CO2 tax + local taxes (-) GST. The carbon tax will no longer give the market any kind of even marginally effective price signal to change our carbon heavy habits.

The liberals will still be able to claim environmental sensibility, while in reality undoing what little good they have done already.

By: Kurt Heinrich

Kurt Heinrich — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:23:02 +0000

good post Mike. Britannia library is one of my favorite community hubs.

By: Michael Boronowski

Michael Boronowski — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:28:12 +0000

Thanks John,
There’s an update as of the 20th –

The funding level for 2009/10 has been announced as $13.7 million, or 78% of the normal provincial allocation to public libraries in BC. As the budget process is ongoing, details on grants that will not be funded have yet to be announced. We do, however, appreciate that public libraries will be able to continue providing most of the services traditionally funded by the Province.

By: John Horn

John Horn — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:40:59 +0000

What?! I thought the HST was going to pay for public services. Kurt?! What’s happening?! It couldn’t have been naivety and placing false hope in political leaders, could it? But, hey, it wasn’t like you used libraries or formed community around literature in some sort of “book club” or the like. [insert sigh of relief here].

In all seriousness, well done, Mike. I especially like your actionable items that show us all what we as a community can do to learn more about our libraries. I mean, twitblogging the interscape is a great way to get information and collect ideas, sure, but there’s just something about holding a book in your hand that speaks volumes to the true nature of literary community.

Never before has there been such a danger of losing it. And thanks for the reminder, Mike.

- John