The LuLac Edition #194, April 8th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: EASTER AND THE AMERICAN FLAG.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS?

When you spend money on a war, you have to cut some other services. War is supposed to be about sacrifices but it seems like the group that is being sacrificed are the returning soldiers. A story over the net this week told the American people that Military libraries are being closed in order to cut costs. Now that might not sound like a big deal on its surface, but indeed it is. In most military libraries, there are specialized trained reference staff that can help returning vets navigate the maze of red tape they are required to go through to get services. Again, this is still another instance of the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice to serve, being underserved by the very government that employs them when they return from duty. Here's the story:

Historic Fort Huachuca Army Library Closed

ALA (American Library Association) recently learned about the closure of the Fort Huachuca Library, located on the Army installation in Arizona. We are especially concerned about this because it is part of a pilot program that could provide impetus for base library closings throughout the country. The Army is sending Fort Huachuca soldiers and their families off base to the city library for reduced library services. A number of services the soldiers had received -- including military-network programs and access to library staff knowledgeable in military-related issues -- are now unavailable.
Closing this historic library, especially during a time of war, deprives soldiers and their families of an important resource for education, information and technology.ALA is deeply concerned because the stakeholders -- the soldiers and their families -- were left out of the process, and the decision-makers have little understanding of the staff and services that are integral to a library and the community it serves.This closing, as in the case of the Environmental Protection Agency libraries, may have national ramifications, as it could be replicated in Army installations across the country. Further, our contacts report that the Northeast Region Office (NERO) -- which includes bases such as Fort Belvoir, Fort Meyer, Fort Hamilton and the Aberdeen Proving Ground -- is interested in expanding the legislation that approved the pilot program.ALA President Leslie Burger sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Army Preston Geren expressing her concern about the Fort Huachuca Library. The letter was copied to Arizona's Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill, as well as Senate and House leadership of the Armed Services Committees.

AFTER THE HOLIDAY

Expect the politcal pace to pick up now that Easter and Passover has been celebrated. Only five more weeks to election day and we'll be watching the races in both Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties. In the meantime, enjoy the day.