BlogHer - recession - Comments

Current uni student

Aisha — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:44:56 -0500

I'm an Ohioan, waiting to see what happens with our state budget, as our Governor butts heads with the State representatives and senators who are refusing to pass the budget as it stands currently. They are fighting over gambling, but that's not the point.

They have cut a scholarship that I was awarded at my high school graduation last year - $2200 gone, just like that, with little to no comment by anyone. When I contacted my financial aid office to ask if there were any other alternative grants or scholarships I could get to replace the lost money, they told me to get my parents to co-sign a loan. The state is now looking at cutting a grant program that puts out almost $2500 worth of my state school education. I haven't bothered to contact my school yet, because they will most likely tell me that it's a game of wait-and-see, which it is. (the $4700 total covers over half of my yearly tuition, which is most likely going to be made up with in the form of government loans, which, while more generous than what I could get at Chase or elsewhere (interest rate wise), is still a debt I was hoping to keep low without having to hold 2 or 3 jobs to pull off.)

The state is headed into its third year of tuition freeze, which has not had much affect on my pursuit of my degrees, because the university keeps finding other places where a fee would be 'necessary.'

So I'm not sympathetic to professors who are complaining about pay cuts. i have had professors flat out state that they don't give written exams because too many students failed them in the past; instead of pushing us to excel, they are accepting mediocrity as the norm. How many other professors do this? To argue that they will have to give less exams or fewer papers seems ridiculous to me, having experienced this in the vast majority of classes I have taken, even before the budget cuts began to roll out.

I'm already feeling the budget cuts, I shouldn't have to feel them from my professors as well.

Closed? For the whole summer???

sassymonkey — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:44:05 -0500

That's horrible! What about summer reading programs? And internet access for people who don't have it at home? And people who just wants books!

Just thinking about it is making me need to lie down.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Yes, I'm lucky

Candelaria Silva — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:40:10 -0500

I mostly order books from the closest one but I like being able to return books at any of them. I try to walk daily and I can return books based on how much of a walk I'm doing: 20 minutes to the 2nd cloest, 1/2 hour to the other two. If I wanted to take public transportation - a whole other world of libraries open up.

I'm unhappy to report that the libraries will be closed this summer. I overheard the librarian telling this to a parent over the phone about 45 minutes ago. Bummer.

http://blog.candelarisilva.com

Good and plenty!

Honestly, I'm rarely in my library aisles

sassymonkey — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:45:30 -0500

Even though I take out lots of books I'm rarely in the aisles. I usually request everything I needed online and then just pick it up, sometimes pausing in front the express shelf. When I was computerless for awhile I used to go to the library to use their internet, and while I used to wander the aisles sometimes it wasn't something I did a lot. (Again, the online reserves.)

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Four libraries in walking distance?!

sassymonkey — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:32:39 -0500

That's awesome! When we were looking for this apartment one of my requirements was that it had to be walking distance to a library. But four!!! Wow!

Do you always go to the closest one? Or do you go to different ones for different things?

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

The Depression-era funding does give hope

sassymonkey — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:30:00 -0500

I also found this article called American Public Libraries in the Great Depression. As one would except in a country so large there are regional discrepancies but it's really interesting.

And don't you just hate it when people don't return the books you loan them?

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Our Library Suffers

fittothefinish — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:45:23 -0500

Our library suffers from lack of funding, in-fighting among the politicans and general lack of interest from the public due to a poor location. We still go, and check out lots of books, but everytime we are there it makes me sad.

The library has installed state of the art computers for patrons, which is wonderful, but adds to the book collection at a snails pace. When we go, the computer terminals are filled with people staring at the screen, but the book aisles are empty.

Diane

lost 150 pounds and talks about it at:

www.fittothefinish.com/blog

I love the library

Candelaria Silva — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:54:46 -0500

I have four public libraries within walking distance of my house, the closest being 2 1/2 blocks away. I love the library, I love the librarians and other staff, I love the people. I am thrilled that whenever I go there are people of all ages and backgrounds using it. I've joined the Friends' group. Libraries are a vital part of a free society. It's a shame when governments cut services like libraries and the parks. These are things that keep people sane and their budgetrs need to be increased no decreased!

http://blog.candelarisilva.com

Good and plenty!

Oh, Ohio

JennaHatfield — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:35:02 -0500

Our library usage hasn't really increased but that's simply because we're a family like you: we're there multiple times per week. I can tell you we don't rent movies anymore and, instead, use the library. So, perhaps, in that way, our library usage has been up. But, for the most part, except for that one book I found that had been hiding under my son's bed (?!), we've always been in and out a few times each week.

We are still adding to the boys' own libraries, of course. And I did recently "splurge" for myself and purchase two new books and replace another that I let a friend borrow... and never received. But the bulk of our book activity takes place at the library. (Which is how we know which books to add to their library!)

I must say, however, that your addition of the history of library funding during the Depression does give me a bit of hope. I do believe that the smaller libraries in our counties might be closed. And, honestly, the smaller branches in the smaller towns/cities probably need them the most. I'll hold out hope. I know that our state is struggling but this hits where it hurts.

(And thanks for the link!)

@FireMom from Stop, Drop and Blog and
The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

it's simple abundance!

pblack — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:01:36 -0500

I love it! I'm new to your blog and I really enjoyed this post.

It's such a good spin on all the doom and gloom about the

recession. What a great way to think about saving money!

Kudos to all you Quintessential Business Brand Provocateurs!

Mary van de Wiel — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:09:47 -0500

Great stuff! nothing quite like being fearless when it comes to starting your own business particularly in this economy! I salute all entrepreneurs and start up CEOs when they decide – if it's NOT now, it never will be – and let's face it, it's often the major defining moment in their lives. It's about putting on the hat of 'Quintessenial Brand Provocateur' in your business. It's about showing up, standing out and standing in their own entrepreneurial shoes! it takes guts, for sure. But it also takes a certain kind of determination. So kudos to all of you out there who are being fearless. Bravo!

Mary van de Wiel

Thanks!

Ungirdled Passion — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:23:11 -0500

http://ungirdledpassion.blogspot.com/

I love that - every time a Krispy Kreme closes an angel cries! Too funny, but also, so sad, as it looks like it could actually happen

Thanks so much for reading my post! It's only day 3 of blogging, and everyone has been so nice. BlogHer is a WONDERFUL resource and community! - Tracy

Krispy Kreme!

Denise — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:12:12 -0500

Every time a Krispy Kreme closes, an angel cries.

We take photos every time we go to KK, seriously. Every time. And it had better not EVER close down for good. I don't know what I would do.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Thanks for the clarification!

Elana Centor — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:34:17 -0500

What I should have said is that the idea of of using small paintings to market an artist's work took on a new dimension when Duane Keiser started the Painting A Day genre. It is the painting a day genre that is new..and one possible by creating small paintings....

Also interesting article today in NYT about art market "recalibrating"

elana
Blogher Contributing Editor,Business&CareersFunnyBusiness

Miniature Art is Not New

Seaside — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:30:32 -0500

I enjoyed reading this but was dismayed that miniature art was presented as a new genre or idea. The first great miniature portrait painter was Hans Holbein (1497 - 1543). Obviously, more needs to be done to promote this beautiful art form so that people are aware of it.

There are numerous societies around the world dedicated to contemporary miniature artists. The Miniature Artists of America is one such society in the USA. Museums and galleries have hosted shows dedicated to this form. My gallery is currently hosting our 18th International Miniature Art Show.

Miniature art does not always equate to miniature prices. It takes just as much talent and time to create a true miniature painting as a large one. These are exquisite little gems of art that draws the viewer into a personal experience with it.