The Library is a wonderful resource; can't it be wonderful for $4 million per year? How much does the Library Director earn? I trust the Trustees are pro bono.

Neighbor

The idea that time spent learning, socializing, and expanding one's horizons in the library is wasted dumbfounds me. And to suggest we forego the valuable community resource the library is in favor of another gym equally astounds me. Obesity is a problem, but studies point to excessive time in front of television and computers, not time spent in the library as the cause. Time spent in the library is engaging and challenging and therefore productive as compared to encouraging children to spend more time on line. So many people in the community get so much out of the library I am at a loss as to how to respond to the suggestion that we tear it down. But to leave Ruth and Matt's comments unacknowledged was unacceptable. I wonder if either of them voted in this week's election or if they have ever even looked at the library budget. Our library adds so much to our community in terms of culture, education, awareness and more. I am thankful it is here and will defend its existence as long as I live here.

If anything the internet is the reason that kids are fat. Do you know how many of them are brainlessly surfing the 'net going on Facebook or playing online games when they could be outside contacting each other socially or getting exercise. They get their research on papers from Wikipedia likes its an educational resource. The internet can be a valuable tool and a nice thing but can also a life sucking time waster. If the library is so useless why are senior citizens packed in there and waiting for the doors to open in the mornings. Young kids and mothers are there in the juvenile section, teens are there meeting to do hw and to read and enrich their brains. They hold job and career counseling and have the latest dvd's and cd's. In a down economy people are using the libraries resources in 2011 not the gyms.

Besides, our tax dollars are being spent to totally renovate the pool and adding a skate park to Manorhaven park so its not like its being neglected. I live by the park and love it and think exercise is important, my whole family is fit. We need balance in our lives. Could this town use an indoor pool? I suppose but we already have a few gyms in town and an indoor tennis center. The kids have school sports leagues, PAL, indoor sports centers etc.. I think they main thing is Ruth you personally find no use for the library and wish it gone which is fine as everyone is entitled to their opinion but to say kids have no use for it or its a waste of their valuable time seems silly in my opinion. I have two kids myself , kids dont need a fancy place to exercise they can find it anywhere. What they cant find anywhere is a place to get a appreciation for reading, culture , music, first hand not on their iphone or pc.

Jen don't stifle them this is comedy gold! Some people don't want to pay the prices of a gym so they want a cheap alternative. Some people don't use something so they think its useless for all. Like your posting about handicap parking spots Ruth, "Way too many handicap parking spaces in this town. Most of the spots being used by people that walk fine. I don't get? " Because ever handicap person must not be able to walk right? I also found it funny how your all about fitness then you're suggesting people go to Burger King. Good Stuff. College degree online? yeaah that's gonna look great on the resume. The internet can be one resource I but to say it has enough to replace a library? Sorry every book is not on the internet yet. Real colleges and researchers still crack open books. Its the idea that you can just go to the internet for everything that's making them fat and lazy. Is there a childhood obesity problem in our country? Yes, but what makes you think that they would want to to this dream fitness center you propose if they weren't already using one of the many fitness option this town already has? Pat your right it is disappointing to see the homeless hanging out in the library. Hey everyone's got a right to their opinions have you two considered bringing this up this at the Library budget meetings. Who knows maybe there are more that feel the same way.

Pat there may be many people taking advantage of the handicap system but the point is you don't need to be unable to walk to be able to get a handicap sticker. Some people have strokes, some have damaged vertabrae, nuerolgical issues etc that's the idea. I commend you for getting the salad but honestly most of the youth that are overweight cleearly are not getting the salad. Anyway this has been amusing but I think its played out now. Some of us are clearly set in our ways and a little bitter in life but hey its been worth a couple chuckles.

JC, your points are well taken.

Ruth and Pat -

At lunchtime, most kids are in school and many adults, who work out of town, are at their jobs. With all due respect, I don't think that a canvass done mid-day during the week is the best way to determine library use. I was there with one of my children last night about 7 and we had to park in the back row because there were so many people using the library.

My kids walk or ride their bikes to the library, thus gaining fitness points without the expense of a gym membership. They take home actual books to read, do research for school assignments, meet with their friends to do group projects, borrow videos, CD's, books on tapes (wonderful for pre-readers and the elderly) and dvd's and, occasionally, play a computer game.

Frankly, comparing the library and Manorhaven Park and Pool (which I also enjoy spending time at with my family) is like comparing apples and oranges. Both facilities contribute to the overall health and well-being of community members and the existence of both helps keep the values of our homes up. There's nothing better on a hot Saturday morning than stopping at the library, picking up a couple of books, heading over to the pool and reading in between laps.

The library and the pool/park do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Gilgo Beach, Ruth? Really? don't know that I'd want my kids anywhere near there at this point in time, although I've been there and it is a lovely area. Surfing does sound like fun, though, and I hope that your son enjoys his lessons. My kids will be away at camp as well, enjoying the outdoors, with no computers or videos and, hopefully, some books.

By the way, as long as you dry yourself off and put a coverup on, you will not get water on your books. I have never had to pay the library for a damaged book. I don't have my kids read at the pool, they're too busy swimming with their friends and, you are right, kids might not be as careful as they should be with a book and it could get damaged. As an adult, I know how to read a book while at the pool or the beach without ruining it.

I think that my children would disagree with your assessment of them as "those poor kids." My kids see plenty of movies and often read the books on which they are based; they also enjoy playing pick-up sports with their friends, riding their bikes around town and, amazingly, they actually enjoy doing some reading. They like to learn for its own sake, not just because it's required in school. They're not athletes in the sense of organized team sports but they are certainly physically active.

Ruth - you and I can disagree about the value of the library but I'm also a taxpayer and my opinion is of as much value as yours. There's no need for ad hominem attacks on anybody.

Ruth -

You're right. We ARE on different levels. I am on the level of polite, reasoned and intelligent discourse and you are on the level of "damning with faint praise." I am sure that your children are wonderful and must be on "a steady path to future success."

What I am not sure about is why you feel the need to assume that my children are NOT on such a path or why their being on such a path might threaten the journey of your children along the same path? I have not said anything about my children that would lead you to be able to identify them in any way by their ages, names, genders, grades, schools, IQ's, interests or anything other than that they can swim, ride bikes and read books. Likewise, all we know of your children is that they are male, athletic, surf, go to a yacht club and are "overachievers." I'm sure that there is room in the world for ALL of them and many others to succeed and have a happy life.

Happy coaching, Ruth...

Pat, I was actually done with this post but just wanted to clarify that I never mentioned kids. I never would bring kids into this. I'm a parent and educator with a MA in Education. Prior to that I worked on Wall St and am happy to say I did this all before 40. I've taught all levels at one point from Elementary to presently college. Ive stated my opinions, brought up issues and apparent inconstencies in some peoples post but I think I've done without been mean spirited unlike some persons. Having clarified that I think I really am done now. Regardless of whatever else is said because I really do think the topic is all played out.You seem a decent fellow although we disagreed and I wish you a good weekend.