Several months ago I got a phone call asking me to be part of a two plus day event of informal learning, relaxation and camaraderie bringing together a group of women at a retreat center just over an hour away. While I was welcome to come as a participant, the organizers asked that I consider sharing my love of books with the group. While I am far from shy, the idea of going away with a group of people without having a particular buddy along was a bit of a stretch. Continue reading Sometimes an ESCAPE can help you find yourself
byCategory: Community
Library = Community; Amazon, not so much
Almost 60 years ago, Charles Tiebout put forth a theory of political economy that individuals select where live by the mix of services provided and costs associated with them. People may move, vote with their feet, when their requirements are no longer met. Through the 20th century, “regular” folk often included in that mix good local schools, libraries and houses of worship, nearby transportation (either roadways or public), and ready access to groceries, drugstores, hardware stores and clothing stores. Jobs were sought, houses purchased and families raised based on these choices, the localities that provided the governmental services and the costs to attain the whole package.
As our wireless connectivity has increased, many of these interpersonal and neighborhood connections have loosened considerably. Continue reading Library = Community; Amazon, not so much
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