2004-12-01

Of Books and Money

Steinbeck's Calif. Hometown May Close Libraries

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Author John Steinbeck often chronicled the struggle of the common man in times of economic hardship. Now, a modern-day tale of financial struggle is playing out in Steinbeck's hometown of Salinas, California.

Officials are preparing to close the city's public libraries because of budget woes, Salinas city manager David Mora said on Monday.

The move would leave Salinas, located in the valley of rich farmland that served as a backdrop for many of Steinbeck's novels, including "The Grapes of Wrath," as one of the biggest cities in the western United States without a public library system.

Now pay attention, Alanis - that is ironic. And tragic.


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