We're all familiar with the effect the recession and its aftermath have had on public libraries. In the North America and Europe, libraries have had budgets slashed and branches closed, even as demand has soared (In the U.S., Seattle has seen a massive 50% increase in circulation). But until I read this article by the New York Times today, I hadn't quite realized that all this slashing and burning was also taking place in the libraries of our public schools. 

TNS is a public school in New York. Home to a hugely diverse student population, 40% of its students are eligible for free lunch. So while other schools in the city raise $1.57 million for rooftop turtle ponds and iPads via parent donations, TNS struggles to maintain its library and art program. To hold onto the former for the upcoming school year, TNS parents scraped together $40,000. They have no idea how they'll manage to do it again next year. Or the year after that. 

Of course, TNS isn't the only school out there struggling. But if you're interested in helping a school provide a basic and vital resource to its students, you can donate to the fundraising effort here. If you're in New York and want to help, you can stop by TNS' lemonade stand fundraiser today.