Citizens voicing support for libraries at a Cobb County commission meeting

Cobb County, GA, the county that cursed us with Newt Gingrich, biology textbooks with stickers warning of evolution’s status as a “theory, not a fact” (thankfully, that one didn’t stand), and other cultural oddities (Big Chicken anyone?), has done something surprising and, dare I say, almost forward thinking. It is saving–not closing–libraries.

According to this report by Michael Kelley in Library Journal, the Cobb County commission voted to keep the 13 of their 17 libraries open that were on the chopping block. Cobb County, like every other state and municipal government in this country, has a big hole in their budget ($31.5 million). And like everywhere else, the first proposals to close the hole had nothing to do with raising taxes on those who could afford it and everything to do with cutting spending from libraries and other vital public services, including fire and police departments.

The brain child of commission chairman Tim Lee, the cuts were originally proposed on April 8th, which came in the middle of spring break when many families were out of town. But thanks to organizing through Facebook (you can visit the Save Cobb Libraries page) and other social networks, Lee was rebuffed last Tuesday after over 300 people showed up at the commission meeting to support libraries.

As one commenter to the Facebook page noted before the meeting, ”Why do I feel like only in Georgia, where our science textbooks need disclaimers, would the idea of closing libraries even be considered.”

Because the opposition was organized they were able to keep the pressure on the politicians responsible for cutting these vital services. “We’ve had an overwhelming response to our plight” Cobb County Library Director Helen Poyer told LJ. “The commissioners wanted to hear from the community, and the library patrons have really been sending them comments.”

While the response from the community in support of libraries is encouraging, the cuts had to come from somewhere. And instead of raising taxes (an option advocated by the fire department according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution), there was a 10% cut across the board, requiring fire fighters and other county workers to be furloughed. This result may have the effect of pitting government worker against other government worker. ”It seemed after the meeting that it was framed as an us versus them,” Leslie Adams, the leader of the social networking campaign in support of libraries told the AJC. “It’s more than just the libraries. There is a big shortfall that has to be accounted for somehow.”

But until leaders like Lee have the courage to face their fiscal situation head on and ask those who can afford it to chip in a little more for the greater good, this situation is likely to keep playing out all across the country. Given the epidemic lack of courage among most politicians, I wouldn’t hold my breath.