Philadelphia Public Libraries Announce Closing in Budget Dispute

The public libraries in Philadelphia are closing as of October 2 due to the failure of the Pennsylvania State Senate to pass a budget.  The web site for the Free Library of Philadelphia has the details of the closing.  NBC Philadelphia underscores the hardships this move brings, including no free Internet access for job seekers, one less useful place for kids to go after school, and the loss of all other community services the library performs.  Obviously, books and other library materials will be inaccessible as well.  Legislatures tend to play chicken with their annual budget, so there may be some hope.  If not, a major U.S. city will be without library services.  It's not always sunny in Philadelphia.  [MG]