Local activists and Boing Boing readers save Troy Public Library

Steamed Punk sez, "The Troy Michigan Public Library has been saved, thanks in no small part to some very generous Boing Boing readers. Our beloved library has struggled to find a reliable funding source in these difficult times. Yesterday residents approved a dedicated funding source for the next 5 years. It passed with almost 60% of the vote. Most of the work was done by people young and old who live here and benefit directly from the library. However, there were many people from all around the world who supported our efforts and helped us overcome those who had worked to defeat the last two funding source proposal. As a spokesperson for the people in this city who value our library, I want to say a huge and heartfelt thanks to all those who helped us about in any way shape or form. I hope that your generosity is returned to you 100X over. Power to the Happy Mutants!"

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: Happy Mutants • library • politics

More at Boing Boing

Eurovision 2013: An American in London

The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek

cholten99

Who the almighty frack are the nearly 50% of people who voted for closing a library? Is this a local council thing? If so are voting records public?
- mccrum
  
  IIRC it was a vote by the populace and therefore secret ballot.
  
  People who voted to close the library were probably told they would save on taxes because “everyone has all the books they need or all the internet access they could want and there are better things to do with your tax dollars.”
- steamed punk
  
  No, but it is easy to identify them as many are proud of their vote. Their ideology says that almost all government is bad government. These are the Grover Nordquists of the worlds who proudly proclaim their intent to shrink the government so small he can drown it in a bathtub. It is his pledge that almost all Republicans sign in this country.
  
  They are effective because they can afford to amplify their half truths to enough people who want an easy answer. One that requires no real sacrifice on the part of the lazier elements of our society. They just know it is someone else fault, but haven’t figured out who. As soon as someone gives them a credible lie, they will believe it. It is easier for them that way.
cholten99

Who the frack voted to close? Was out a local council thing with recorded voting?
Martin Hooper

I dont live in the States but as a person who has enjoyed using Libraries here in the UK since I was a child - a big thumbs up to Troy!
- steamed punk
  
  Thanks, Martin, we face some pretty awful people in our local community and it is refreshing to get support from people without a direct stake in our community.
bruckelsprout

And yet, no progress on the Robocop statue in Detroit. Come on, Michigan…

In all seriousness, though, that is freaking awesome.
mccrum

You guys got an extra copy of Slaughterhouse Five you can send to Missouri?
- steamed punk
  
  Yes, but only if you don’t mind a sincere note of appreciation included; not just because that is one of my favorite books. All you need to provide is your TRANS ID or other means of ID, and it would make me quite tickled pink to do so.
  
  Much appreciated, mccrum
  - mccrum
    
    My comment was a reference to this: http://boingboing.net/2011/08/02/missouri-state-business-school-professor-leads-successful-campaign-to-ban-slaughterhouse-five-from-local-schools.html
    - steamed punk
      
      Ooops, my bad.
      - mccrum
        
        Yeah, I’m not sure whether you should keep it with people who believe libraries should be open or send it behind the iron curtain where people believe books should be kept close so they can keep an eye on them.
http://www.facebook.com/people/George-Mokray/767686527 George Mokray

Following what’s happening in Toronto with the libraries? Brother of the troglodyte mayor dissed Margaret Atwood for criticizing plans to close libraries there. Save and expand all the libraries!!!
- steamed punk
  
  Yes, it is very sad for me to hear about the troubles in Toronto. Margaret Atwood retweeted one of our Get Out The Vote tweets, so I consider her one of our supporters. I will have to look into how I can lend a hand there.
  
  I bet the brother troglodyte has never spent an hour at a public library in Toronto in 20 years. If he did (and he has an ounce of compassion in his heart) he would be praising Atwood instead.Save and expand all the libraries indeed.
Kevin Pierce

Small actions on our part lead to big outcomes for Troy!
- steamed punk
  
  Yes indeed, thank you so much Kevin. I hope we can return the favor, if for no other reason than to make you feel how you have all made me feel.
  
  That despite the negativity coursing around the world, that there are plenty of people willing to step up and lend a hand to ensure important things get done.
  
  Long Live the Happy Mutants!
mcarlson

It amazes me that people want to close libraries, especially in the economic times we’re in. I was at our library’s main branch here in Lansing the other day around 3:45. Every computer was filled (and not just with kids), the library was bustling. Libraries=education and opportunity.
- steamed punk
  
  Well said, indeed, our library has never been busier since they reduced our library’s budget and eliminated Saturday hours. In this economic times it is needed now more than ever.
- http://profiles.google.com/stellans Stella Sloop
  
  You said: “Libraries=education and opportunity.”
  
  Well, see? That’s exactly why those people want them closed, because an education populace will not vote their sort into office. And opportunity? Is for the privileged alone. /snerk
lakelady

Bravo Boingers Bravo and of course Bravo Troy as well.
http://twitter.com/TimesOfGreve Dale S. Greve

As a resident of Troy I am grateful to the attention this has received. But to clarify that Troy is not a city full of booking hating heathens a number of people voted no because it is believed our city actually has the funds to keep it open, but used the shuttering of it to keep money in place elsewhere. Another issue is $50,000 of the dedicated Library funds actually goes to the Downtown Development Association. Don’t get me wrong I’m a firm believer in the library and have always used them. My late fees probably are more than the extra tax I will pay.
princeminski

What a nice piece of news to begin my day. Good guys win.
- steamed punk
  
  Thank you, princeminski. It was a pretty grueling battle, but freedom is anything but free.