TRR photo by Sandy Long Molly Rodgers, library director of the Wayne County Public Library and administrator of the Wayne Library Authority, highlights a sign promoting an upcoming library fundraiser. Such events play an important role as libraries struggle to meet increasing demand for services even as they face potential budget cuts.

Libraries: demand up, dollars down

Faltering economy driving library crowds

By SANDY LONG

UPPER DELAWARE REGION—As the economy continues to falter, increasing numbers of people are coping by turning to the abundant?and free?resources found at our region’s libraries. But even as the demand for services grows, libraries are facing potentially serious funding cuts that may lead to undesirable consequences at a time when the services are needed most.

The story is similar in libraries throughout Wayne and Pike counties in Pennsylvania, as well as in Sullivan County in New York.

“We’re seeing an average of 35 to 40 new card applications every week,” said Molly Rodgers, of the Wayne County Public Library (WCPL), one of seven independent libraries linked by a shared catalogue, van delivery system and more.

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John and Yoko in repose

Museum shows historic photos that Life Magazine rejected

By FRITZ MAYER

BETHEL, NY—“The newspapers said, ‘Say what you doing in bed?’ I said, ‘We’re only trying to get us some peace.’” That line, from the song “The Ballad of John and Yoko,” was actually a reference to the first bed-in the couple held in a hotel room in Amsterdam in March 1969.

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Washed out bridge restored

Economic impact will be considerable

By TOM KANE

HAWLEY, PA - A railroad trestle, which has been washed out since the floods of June 2005 and June 2006, was restored and reopened with a ceremony, witnessed by a corps of local business owners and government officials who took the train ride from Honesdale to the bridge site on June 4.

With the restoration of the bridge and the renewed connection with the Central New York Railroad main line along the Delaware River, there is the possibility of attracting new businesses to the area.

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Other stories in this issue:

• Zombies on Main Street
• ECS board: news and negotiations
• Memories of summer dreams
• Library tax petition coming
• New Sullivan flood maps online
• Bakery dream up in smoke?

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S