I hope your writing errors were intentional and meant as irony.

If you don't like the scene on the Hill, Wilson, don't live on the Hill.

Wow. Just wow. (Anyone recognize that kid lit quote?) ;-)

I can't believe the hubris. I have lodged my (respectful, articulate, but strongly worded) complaints. I can't *believe* Maginnis' response. I had hoped that she would recognize the enormity of her error, and I *had* planned to check out what the library was going to offer (to be fair). But now? No friggin' way. We're following Judy to B&N. And I will write another set of letters letting the powers that be know that I will speak out vocally about funding increases (including a new North Boulder branch library) until Maginnis is GONE.

Same here. And I've always been such a library booster.

Yeah, as someone pointed out, there's been a renewed push for a much needed N. Boulder branch library. *This* event is not going to help build goodwill toward the BPL receiving funding for it...

The CRAZY thing is that Judy has been incredibly dedicated. She's there, week after week after week. You can't find *employees* this good.

One last thing (obviously, I'm pretty upset about this)...

The city and library budgets are tight and face cuts. Story time is an area of success, especially at the branches (especially compared to the alternative). Judy is free. There are other pressing budget needs--areas of youth services that desperately need improvement. WHY ON EARTH would you ask Judy to leave?

I will take my daughter to story time the week after next. I HIGHLY DOUBT that something which even matches Judy will be in place. Mr. Urie, that would be a good follow up story.

I want to add that getting rid of dedicated, skilled volunteers who never ever miss a week is *not* the way to build the children's sections. Judy has skills and knowledge that should be shared, not dismissed.

Read my comment below... shockingly, this *is* the full story.

No, you *are* hearing the whole story... it's as shocking (and as poorly thought out) as it appears.

I have spoken with the new head of youth services at the library about this wrong-headed decision (and I was very frank). I encourage the rest of you to do so. My next step will be to contact the city manager and the city council.

I have worked my kids' schedule around Judy's reading schedule. We switched libraries for story time to follow Judy (and work around my daughter's preschool schedule). I currently have my daughter enrolled in afternoon kindergarten, in large part to be able to allow her to continue going to Judy's morning story time.

I remember a period at the branch libraries when Judy *wasn't* doing story time and the librarians were. It was ABSOLUTELY DREADFUL. Monotone, expressionless reading. No patience for children. Stumbling over the words. The attendance dwindled to nothing. Reading children's literature aloud and doing it *well* is not a simple task, and I don't trust the staff to do this well.

I am training to become an elementary school teacher, and Judy has been an invaluable resource. She *knows* her authors. She has given me excellent recommendations about where to find good books. She has the Dewey Decimal system memorized, for crying out loud.

The Boulder Public Library's children's sections are a disgrace. We have fallen behind Louisville. The Denver Public Library and the Arapahoe Library District are kicking our butts. (Yes, they are also bigger than BPL, but they also have more items/patron than BPL.)

Last but not least... Judy has not received any kind of a thank you for her service. This whole thing should serve as a tremendous embarrassment and black mark on the BPL.