Today's blog topic is something that's near and dear to my heart: public libraries. I think public libraries are one of the most precious standing contributions Man has made to His Fellow Man. I've loved going to the library since I can remember, and I haven't stopped as I've gotten older. Now my children love books almost as much as I do and look forward to picking out their own. Conveniently, I work right next to the Southglenn Library and can go on a regular basis. It's fantastic.
All that being said, I want to talk about donating used books and magazines to your local library. We all have books and magazines we know we'll never read again, so why not pack them up and donate them? Chances are that your library will be ever-so-thankful. Some libraries even offer a tax deductible receipt, so that's added incentive.
Why is this important? Well, public libraries have very tight budgets, and those budgets are in danger of getting axed every fiscal year. Take Aurora, Colorado as an example. 4 of Aurora's 7 libraries were permanently closed in 2010. FOUR. This was because the tax paying citizens of Aurora didn't want tax increases to keep libraries open. Now the remaining libraries (as well as libraries around the country) have to operate on a shoestring budget. The number of new titles they can purchase every year has been greatly reduced.
See my logic here? If you know you're never going to read a book or magazine again, then take it to the library and give back to your community. You get to cut out some of the clutter in your home, and someone else gets to enjoy that book. AND the library will get to increase its catalog without spending a dime.
Oh, and if you can spare the time, volunteer at the library as well. Pay it forward!
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
School superintendent gives up $800k in pay - Yahoo! News
School superintendent gives up $800k in pay - Yahoo! News
We need more superintendents like this one!!! Talk about cutting the crap!
Why can't more people who already have all they need give back to their communities like this? It doesn't have to be to the degree that this man goes... it could be volunteer work (time is money!), or donations of unused books, something... ANYTHING!!!
I don't have any extra $$ to perhaps fund another teacher or aide at my daughter's school, BUT I do have time. I have a WONDERFUL job that allows me to be flexible, and today I was able to help out with a field trip. Last week I volunteered in her classroom by helping grade papers and do math assessments. I'm doing this not only because I want to show Megan how important her education is to me, but because - as I chronicled earlier in the year - her elementary finally had to let go of its teacher's aides. If more parents who are able to volunteer would actually DO so, then our state/local/district budget woes wouldn't seem as terrible.
There are plenty of ways to help. If you're a photographer, what about donating some time for the school year book? If you have a medical background, what about teaching a class on anatomy or the benefits of a healthy lifestyle? If you do international business, what about sharing what it's like to travel to distant locales and be immersed in different cultures? I have a teaching background so I help with all those teaching tasks as best I can. Even though I'm a project manager these days, I use what I know to help. I encourage you to do the same!!!
GIVE BACK to your communities by helping in the schools! Our nation's children desperately need us!
We need more superintendents like this one!!! Talk about cutting the crap!
Why can't more people who already have all they need give back to their communities like this? It doesn't have to be to the degree that this man goes... it could be volunteer work (time is money!), or donations of unused books, something... ANYTHING!!!
I don't have any extra $$ to perhaps fund another teacher or aide at my daughter's school, BUT I do have time. I have a WONDERFUL job that allows me to be flexible, and today I was able to help out with a field trip. Last week I volunteered in her classroom by helping grade papers and do math assessments. I'm doing this not only because I want to show Megan how important her education is to me, but because - as I chronicled earlier in the year - her elementary finally had to let go of its teacher's aides. If more parents who are able to volunteer would actually DO so, then our state/local/district budget woes wouldn't seem as terrible.
There are plenty of ways to help. If you're a photographer, what about donating some time for the school year book? If you have a medical background, what about teaching a class on anatomy or the benefits of a healthy lifestyle? If you do international business, what about sharing what it's like to travel to distant locales and be immersed in different cultures? I have a teaching background so I help with all those teaching tasks as best I can. Even though I'm a project manager these days, I use what I know to help. I encourage you to do the same!!!
GIVE BACK to your communities by helping in the schools! Our nation's children desperately need us!
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