"It's a strange time for public libraries in the United States. Cities from Seattle to Salt Lake City to Fayetteville, Ark., have recently built beautiful modern libraries in their downtowns. Smaller versions have also opened in growing suburban areas. And the circulation numbers nationwide are at an all-time high. At the same time, the city of Salinas, Calif., birthplace of author John Steinbeck, nearly shut down its library system recently because of budget shortages, a plan that was halted only after a public outcry. Other systems have also suffered financially in the last few years as local budgets have tightened.
Washington has underfunded its library system for decades. The results are predictable. A recent independent ranking of library systems nationwide placed Washington 61st out of 77 in quality and resources among cities with populations over 500,000.
Drive past the lake with the fountain in the middle, and you come to Loudoun County's Ashburn Library." ¶ 7/31/2005
