What has been bugging me

A consortia is a group of organizations that group together to achieve a common goal. Many libraries are part of a consortium to provide a larger number of resources for the members. Many times, those who benefit from the consortium aren't even aware it exists.

So here comes the drag.

North Suburban Library System. It is the consortium that the libraries in Lake County, IL belonged to, as well as a few in the surrounding counties. They handled the inter-library loan. They provided programming for continuing education for the librarians. They helped negotiate lower costs for subscriptions to electronic databases.

This is now all in the past tense.

The governor of Illinois has cut the budget so deep that there is no more money for libraries. NSLS has shut its doors. Most people won't notice right away. They will when they need a book that isn't at their local library. Last month, that book was a phone call or a mouse click away. NSLS would arrange for it to be delivered to the nearest branch. Next month? You're on your own. They will notice when their children 'forgot' there was a report due tomorrow and the library closed twenty minutes ago. Now? Hop online and access one of the databases available from home. Next year? Who knows? There may not be as many options.

This is the beginning of the end. When will people see that a community without a strong library is a poor community? A good library indicates a good school system.

So now I write. I try to remind those who don't know. I will send letters. Real paper. E-mails. Postcards. Will you?

Apple Junkie

Yep, that is me. I am an Apple FanGirl. I have currently sitting here writing this on my MacBook, with my iPad at my side, I have my iPod in my purse and my shuffle charging in my room. I used to be a PC but I am SO over it. I have seen the light and will NEVER go back.

I do have other stuff to write about but I need to compose those thoughts a little further. It involves budgets and politics and all that craziness.