What's Good for the Goose is Lousy for Libraries

For some years now, a fellow named Bruce DuMont has been building his dream.

A political commentator and television host, he's championed the Museum of Broadcast Communications. That's a 62,000 square foot repository of all the good things that we remember from TV in Chicago through the decades. Clips of old news programs from when real journalists, not clueless, blow-dry anchors delivered the evening reports. Kid stuff like Bozo the Clown, The Ray Rayner Show and even Garfield Goose, "The King of the United States". If you grew up in Chicago during the 50's,60's and 70's, you'll know what I'm talking about.

The MBC is a wonderful idea. Problem is, lack of promised state funding halted construction four years ago. The good news for Bruce DuMont and others, however, is that Governor Quinn just cut a check for six million dollars, putting contractors back to work. He announced it at a meeting of the media elite last week. The facility is scheduled to open next year.

That's great, but . . .

At the same time, the North Suburban Library System, a consortium of over 650 academic, public, school, and special libraries in north suburban Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties, is running out of money. State funds allocated by the legislature have been withheld for this year.

The NSLS has operated for twenty years with no budget increase and, in fact, last August, had its budget cut by sixteen percent. Without the state money this year, many programs will cease. Layoffs have already begun.

In a recent letter (http://www.nsls.info/articles/detail.aspx?articleID=272), Executive Director Sarah Ann Long told members, "From our recent Needs Assessment Survey, we know van delivery service is the most important service for the majority of members. We will take all necessary steps to preserve this service intact. But most other services and programs will be dramatically reduced, eliminated, or spun off." Long goes on to say she will be one of those who is leaving.

Bottom line, there's no money for libraries but, somehow the Governor found six-million for Garfield Goose.

Sure the Museum of Broadcast Communications is a fine idea and an educational one, too. But what about the basics? Like books available on inter-library loan at no cost to low-income school children? Computers for use by families that have none? After school and summer programs? Books for shut-ins and the elderly?

Let's look beyond the libraries. What about the money for the state police which, according to stories in Downstate papers, has had to scale back manpower in many districts? Districts where troopers are the primary backup for local officers when they get into a jam?

How about money for other basics like school districts? How about paying the bills owed to the vendors who have supplied goods and services to state agencies?

While the Governor and legislature kiss up to Garfield, the rest of us get goosed.