My Backyard Project

Solar lanterns hung high in the trees provide a mystic night time setting. It wasn't easy getting them there, though. We actually brought a ladder up into the tree secure the lanterns. I love the look it gives our backyard at night!

Save Fallston's Library follow-up

I wrote my local representative and the library representatives listed on this link:

After Thursday's meeting, I got this impression from the library trustee board sitting at the front: It seems like the board supporters were putting blame on the community for not speaking up sooner, at the time when the county council decided to cut the budget. True, in a perfect world every member of Harford County would be up-to-date and involved in their county's politics. But we're not... and now I think it is completely unfair that the library trustee board places the hardship of a county-wide budget cut solely on one part of a community -- Fallston. It is socially irresponsible. It's reality, budgets get cut. But spread the damage out -- impose cutbacks or a plan to increase revenue county-wide -- so that it minimally affects all.
It was such an awesome turnout, but I heard no county council members were there.

I think all local representatives need to make sure they attend the public hearing at Fallston High 6 p.m. next Thursday.

Ms. Caplan and Capt. Jim, Thank you for your reply!

Ms. Amasia,
I don't believe that was the message Mr. Nicodemus meant to
convey. I think he was trying to tell the community that we will need your help
next year. I can assure you that the Board and staff heard the community out
pour to save the branch and listened carefully to the suggestions given. There
will be another hearing next Thursday at 6PM at Fallston High so those who
couldn't get in the room may have an opportunity to speak. Thank you for your
advocacy for the Fallston Branch.
Audra Caplan

Mr Shrodes serves as the council liaison to the board of
trustees and Mr Woods represents Fallston. I was told they both were going
to be there but I will ask to make sure. They probably did not
speak.. Captain Jim Dist C

Closing Fallston's Library

In a span of only one week, Fallston's community discovered that politicians are trying to shut down our local library. All week I have been trying to raise awareness, going to local businesses and posting signs. Tonight I attended a public hearing and was very pleased how Fallston represented itself. The hearing was packed, with an overflow that wasn't allowed in, but as large in number as the representation at the hearing. So many strong arguments were made from my fellow community members. Here's why the library trustees are saying "their hands are tied" and they must close Fallston's branch:

• Age of Building
• Branch is not easily accessible on foot
  
• Low walk-in traffic
  
• Cost savings
  
• Poor location and dangerous vehicle access in and out of the property
  
• Close proximity to newest branches, Bel Air (7 miles), Jarrettsville (8 miles) and Abingdon
  
• Low percentage of computer usage compared to other branch locations

Here's some obvious refutes:

• The building is not ancient, but leaving an abondoned building would still be expensive to taxpayers: heating so the pipes are not frozen in the winter, patroling the area.
• Our tax money does not give us water, trash pickup, but the one thing it does give is our small library. Most people everywhere drive to the library.
• Poor location? It is centrally located to be the midpoint of three schools, it is on a easily accessible road and I haven't heard of any major accidents because of vehicle access.
• You shouldn't close down a library over computer usage. Fallston in fact has the fourth highest library usage out of the 11 branches in Harford County.

Well, throughout the public hearing it became quite evident that these weren't the real reasons why our library is closing. The board of trustees for the library, who made the decision to close, seemed to easily grasp (in my mind at least) that even if the above reasons are true it is still not any circumstance to close a community's library.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid our community acted too late. The county council of Harford county imposed this budget cut and now the library board thinks this is their only option. I think it's pretty crumby that this cut was ever imposed, but I, along with 99 percent of the other people at the hearing, did nothing about it. So now we decide to wake up and make one last valiant effort to save our books.

But what I do think is this: The board of trustees is in a tight position to think they have to close the library, but COME ON! But come on BOARD - this is your chance - work for your community and come up with a different solution. It seems like a no-brainer... you need 400,000$ a year? Well, come up w/ a plan, don't just say we are closing a library because it is difficult to drive in and out of; because not enough people sit on the computers and stare at the screen; because the building is more than 20 years old (eek! older than 20, can you imagine?)

I think it's laziness, and I am outraged that closing anything ever became an option. What needs to be considered seriously are ways to meet the budget cut by increasing revenue. I will pay .25 to check out a DVD; I will pay $5 a year to renew my card; I will make my dad who is a senior citzen to pay late fees. Implementing simple ideas like this -- plus many more spoken at the meeting tonight -- and enforcing them county-wide would create $400,000 sooner than you can get through the Twilight series...(well, I don't about that.)

SaveFallstonsLibrary.com for updates and actions you can take. This coming week will be important to reach out to our politicians!