Even though it was only 36 degrees, windy and overcast at 9 a.m., we decided to go down to Monona Terrace to join members of the Wisconsin Library Association and the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association who were gathering for Library Legislative Day. Lake Monona was looking soggy (but not yet iced out) and arriving marchers looked energized but cold — and damp. We were all soon more than damp as it started raining only moments after we left the shelter of Monona Terrace.
The group, while not huge, managed to fill a couple of blocks of MLK Blvd. on their way to talk to members of the State Legislature about libraries and the budget bill. Usually those few blocks from the Convention Center to the Capitol Square present one of the most dramatic views of the Capitol, but we were all too intent on marching and trying to stay a bit dry to notice. We cheered the group on, snapped shots of their excellent signs (no surprise there) and walked once around the Square with them before parting. As they went to try to talk sense to some Senators, we enjoyed a sensible hot breakfast at Marigold Kitchen before returning home.
Libraries are such an essential part of the community. I rely heavily on inter-library loan here in Vermont; it would be a disaster to take away this service in Wisconsin. I admire you for standing with libraries. Good luck to you all.
Posted by: Altoon | Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Thank you for being there today.
Posted by: nichole | Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 08:45 PM
"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries" -Anne Herbert (writer 1952-)
or a favorite of mine for those who think the internet can replace the library
"Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly."
--Roger Ebert (1942-)
Jeanne
Posted by: Curt Heuer | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 12:18 PM