Troy Public Library Youth Services New Tech Farm Ribbon Cutting

Larry Fuller November 15, 2012 at 06:43 am

Such a waste of our Tax $$$$ to spend on laptops for 0-5 yr old kids to bang away on at the Public Library. Too much revenue leads to this wasteful spending. Janice Daniels was right! We did not need to fund the library, it was all a waste to get more money to fund useless wasteful projects at the library. Why not simply be open 7 days a week instead of spending sprees like this of our hard earned tax $$$. Shame!

Lynn Gross November 15, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Mr. Fuller - I can think of no better way to spend our tax dollars than on library services for our children. Many children would not otherwise have access to this kind of technology before they get to school, and if they have no familiarity with it, they are already behind. My guess is that you either have not raised children at all, or raised them so long ago, you have no idea what goes on the classroom these days. Troy has a renowned school district and fabulous, dedicated teachers and administrators. I am very pleased that my taxes are used to fund those professionals, to fund a full service library and to fund ANY children's program or resources the library deems is needed. If you don't want to live in a community that rears educated children, who are well prepared to succeed in college and in an ever competing market place, maybe you should consider relocating to a place where they don't 'waste tax dollars' on needless children's programs (that was sarcasm). Troy is not that place.

Tim McGee November 15, 2012 at 12:52 pm

Mr. Fuller: Your tax dollars were not spent on this new service for our young children. The money was donated by The Friends of the Troy Library and did not come out of the library's meager operating budget. Again you and Ms. Daniels other radical ideologists speak before knowing the facts. Why don't you visit the library someday and see how the community is actively engaged in a positive way!

Chris P. November 15, 2012 at 01:06 pm

Love to see that someone has their facts straight and doesn't buy into Janice Daniel's "spin" that she fought to save the Library! She, in fact, fought against it before she had the audacity to politicize it when she ran for Mayor. True politican that she is, she was "against" it before she was "for" it. Thank you, Mr. Fuller, for pointing that out so clearly. I disagree with you and her, though, about it being a waste. The Library plays a vital role in our community.

Friends of the Troy Public Library November 15, 2012 at 02:08 pm

The mission of the Friends of the Troy Public Library for over 54 years has been to promote and support the library. We will continue to do so by providing funding for hundreds of programs, equipment, Special Needs collections, Job Seekers classes and a host of other things that are donated from our fundraising efforts, not paid for from city funding (taxes). As is stated in the article above, the money to pay for the Tech Farm was a generous grant from the Friends, so your displeasure is unwarranted. The Friends recognize and appreciate the communities support of our public library, and work hard to make sure that there is something for everyone. Studies show that early childhood literacy, which includes digital literacy in this day and age, sets the foundation for learning for an entire lifetime. We feel that it is important to give people, of all ages, a leg up on learning and will continue to do so. We are proud of our dedicated volunteers, members and customers who support the Friends, so that we may carry on with the important contributions to this wonderful civic asset that is our Troy Public Library.

Matt Binkowski November 15, 2012 at 02:09 pm

Larry,
If the 0.7 mill rate increase to fund the library wasn't necessary, then why didn't Daniels even suggest to decrease the city tax rate by 0.7 mills? Dave Henderson surely would have agreed with her, because he also advocated that the 0.7 mill rate increase wasn't necessary to fund 7 day library operation.

Cathy Russ November 15, 2012 at 02:44 pm

I would also like to clarify that adult laptop computers, cell phones, etc are NOT part of the Tech Farm. The equipment on the Farm might look like toys to adults but they help children learn to read, use a keyboard, and gain computer literacy skills they are expected to have when they start school. TPL strives to promote literacy for all ages, with its collections, services and programs.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Friends of the Troy Public Library for funding the Tech Farm and making this project possible. I hope everyone will come to the library and check it out.

cookiepro2 November 15, 2012 at 09:53 pm

Maybe it would be wise in future articles to prominently state at the beginning when a new endeavor is NOT funded by tax dollars. It would forestall misleading comments like the first poster's.
Thank you TPL and Friends of the Library. You are continuing to make Troy an attractive place to live for young families, and for us all.