During these economic down times, certain phrases keep zipping in and out, such as “We all are in this together”, or “we can’t implement this now” or “ we all must work as a team to improve our economic crises”, or heads shaking in  unison, when we hear “Global /national crises  triggered present economic crises in California…..” However, at the same time questions do arise such as :  were we (general public) responsible for this economic downfall? Who should take the responsibility for our economy and who should take the burnt of it?
Even though the question(s) remain, especially when every decision is thrusted up on the “present economic crises”, realistically, assigning blame doesn’t help. Does that, however, mean to allow cuts or reduction or shying away from implementing any futuristic and need based goals;  in educational services, children’s services or senior services? Are the priorities being unclear and misrepresented?

This is Bay Area, the epicenter of innovation and technology with mushrooming futuristic and prolific companies. Should they step up along with Universities, Hospitals, Institutions, and large and small businesses to pull some of the weight? On the other hand, we as individuals need to step up by being more alert, more informed and by being more involved.

Please read the following white paper, written by one of our very concerned citizen, which aptly shows why it is important to increase hours for our non-expandable resource

——————————————————————————————————————— ARGUMENTS TO EXPAND SAN JOSE LIBRARY HOURS

(context for specific data provided by library system)

By  C. C Curtis for Friends of the Edenvale Library.

March, 2010

AMERICA IS IN THE LIBRARY AND THE LIBRARY IS AMERICA:

I. LIBRARIES ADVANCE THE AMERICAN DREAM OF PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

The American dream and promise as stated in the Declaration of Independence includes pursuit of happiness. The library is a place for the individual, at his/her own pace, to seek information and to communicate (over Internet, with assistance of library staff, or in library programs). How can an individual pursue personal advancement without information? How can the individual create without a place and quiet to cogitate, to dream, to produce? Pursuit of the dream starts with the basics of introducing the next generation to reading, through its children’s programs such as story hours and children’s rooms, continued through teen centers and homework assistance to English second language courses and book clubs. Whether in quiet rooms, at a computer work station in the solitary pursuit of creativity, in meeting rooms, at general study tables to collaborate on projects, or in after school homework assistance in the community room, the individual and people of the community use the library in the American pursuit of happiness.

II. LIBRARIES HELP DEVELOP A STRONG CITIZENRY.

Libraries are the embodiment of the 1st Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, press, and incorporate the ideas of petition, assembly, and association. George Washington, in his Farewell address after serving two terms as President, exhorted the county to educate the citizenry- an informed public opinion is the basis for our democracy. The library is crucial to this task of developing a citizenry of strong public opinion. The libraries impart vital information for development of public policy in the political milieu of consensus making: Internet access, current periodicals and journals, and recent books all give individuals information critical to understand public trends- as well as having more information to make informed votes and gaining other information to comply with citizenship including registration of voters, census and immigration information.

III. LIBRARIES HELP DIVERSE PEOPLE AND CULTURES ASSIMILATE.

The library has an important role in the assimilation and cohesion of those living in San Jose. Diverse communities and individuals can mingle and be aware of each other and exchange information at their own pace. The data base of library users – and those who signed library use cards in 2009- attest to the diversity of community outreach. There are not many other places in our widespread city geography where people can meet on an ad hoc or programmatic basis. The library provides many such programs- as book clubs, children’s hours, community neighborhood or city council representative meetings. In the process, the library is a good place for families- materials for all ages, as well as entertainment resources or programs for different age groups and subject matter.

IV. LIBRARIES ARE GOOD FOR COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT.

The sense of individual and community well-being are furthered by a vibrant library system. The American individual is being provided for, at the same time that the community is being enhanced. In the American way based on the belief that advancement of the individual in his/her own self-interest will advance the community, people can pursue own subject matter in their own way and timing. What a better place to provide tools for innovators, entrepreneurs and artists with resources of information base and environment to create in, as well as the citizen general knowledge base. The full use of libraries thus helps San Jose and Silicon Valley develop.

V. LIBRARIES ARE OUR 21ST CENTURY TOWN HALLS.

Libraries also serve as the new town centers. Not the malls, focused on shopping, the libraries are a place where knowledge can be gained at no cost. The neighborhood libraries, within walking distance for many, are integral to a sense of community. Indeed, many school children go to the library after school to wait for their parents. The community rooms serve many groups such as neighborhood associations and issues (and could be further used, such for artistic events).o

VI. LIBRARIES ARE ENDORSED BY THE VOTERS AND SHOULD BE USED.

The citizens of San Jose have spoken, voting for new libraries- the gorgeous, innovative physical plants with Internet access, reading rooms, children and teen centers, new books and media, meeting rooms or quiet rooms, cafes, friends of the library book sales, and community rooms-which serve a multitude of purposes.

Just as some libraries are opening, budget concerns limit community access to library facilities. Surely, this is a misjudgment of priorities. The current budgetary concerns should not limit its use, rather serve to underscore how much such facilities are needed, to further our dream of equal opportunity and furtherance of personal merit. The first priority should be to keep the people’s centers open as much as possible- even extending hours later in evenings and weekends. The libraries are not expendable resources- instead, their use should be increased.