Free Library of Philadelphia Set to Close

I grew up in Philadelphia and the branch of the library where my father and I went every couple of weeks is no longer active. In its place are the Roxborough and Andorra Branches. Not for long though. On October 2nd the entire library system that allowed me to develop a love of books and reading is poised to close. Of course, hopefully the legislators in the state will pass a budget which includes public libraries, but what if they don't?

What have we come to that we can no longer support our great public institutions of learning?

Read more here at Boing Boing and the Philadelphia Free Library site itself.