[twobits]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I think that line was from Independence Day....can't remember for sure but is might have been Judd Hirsch who said it.

Ah thanks, could not remember what it was off hand. Seems I got the amount way off as well not all the items!

From imdb

[at the secret government lab]
President Thomas Whitmore: I don't understand, where does all this come from? How do you get funding for something like this?
Julius Levinson: You don't actually think they spend $20,000.00 on a hammer, $30,000.00 on a toilet seat do you?

Financial records of all publicly funded institutions are open to anyone who asks for them. And remember we are dealing with city, county or maybe even state institutions, not federal. And there would be no valid reason to deny the information. Not sure it's worth the hassle but if really interested

Yep, just seems they don't have to be clear, and it can become too much of a hassle.

the details. It's one nice thing about small towns. We all know each other...hahahaha...but this sort of thing is not some sort of national security matter fer goodness sakes! And we are entitled to know how the funds are spent. I think we all just want to know how it works more than anything else.

Yep. I agree with your original statement that it seems odd that it that it seems to not be clearly disclosed.

I still think what needs done is to reinvent the whole library. Still keep the research aspect of it, but also open part of it into a more social environment where people can get together, maybe have some sort of small business coffer bar sort of thing (no Starbucks or what not, just a small town mom 'n pop sort of thing). A solid kids section is a must and regular reader clubs/groups. But that all takes money and, well, that's very difficult to obtain from cities these days, especially for something I am certain well over 50% of people have never used and really don't understand. But I sense it's time for the library to evolve, at least on the small town level.

Almost an internet cafe with special access to ebooks and other media resources while in the building? They could make an intranet available that had access to curated media for the kids use. Wonder if some community groups could lead the way rather then it needing to be city driven.