# Public library closed Sunday 04/16 **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 14, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673 "2006-04-14T16:03:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/21 "2006-04-14T19:24:17Z")
Easter is always a Sunday and (Western Christian Easter) includes an overwhelming percent of the population. A lot of things are already closed, simply because it is Sunday and of the operations that are generally open Sunday, many would have a difficult time getting staff to serve on that day. I don’t really see it as a “religious” observation so much as a practical demonstration of employee relations. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/22 "2006-04-14T20:02:20Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] A war against Easter! 🙂 [/quote] So, shall we expect you to also [perform a flip-flop on this](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/14/oreilly-reversal/) three days later? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/23 "2006-04-14T22:12:50Z")
[QUOTE=rjung] So, shall we expect you to also [perform a flip-flop on this](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/14/oreilly-reversal/) three days later? 🙂 [/QUOTE] We’ve seen a lot of those thinkprogress freeze frames that purport to “prove” that O’Reilly = bad, but they’re pretty unconvincing since they don’t have the needed context to decide exatly what’s going on. I think O’Reilly is a bully and blow-hard, and spends way too much time promoting himself instead of focusing on the issues, but that link doesn’t say much to me. I’d have to to see the verbage that went with the second screen shot. Sorry. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/24 "2006-04-14T22:25:51Z")
My library is closed 4/16 too. But then, it’s closed 4/9 and 4/22 and every other Sunday. They’re only open 10a-2p on Saturdays. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/25 "2006-04-14T22:41:58Z")
[QUOTE=Eve] Your libraries _usually_ are open on Sundays? Lucky you! New York and New Jersey libraries are always closed on Sundays, and in New Jersey, they close _all damn weekend_ during the summer. [/QUOTE] What part of Jersey? The two main branches of the Monmouth County Library are always opened on Saturday. **Dinsdale** : You’re right, they should just clarify and say closed for Easter on 4/16. Silly not too. Jim BTW: Agnostic that happily keeps up the tradition of coloring eggs and having an easter egg hunt. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/26 "2006-04-14T23:17:30Z")
Since they openly announce that they are closed for “Christmas”, I don’t see how anyone can infer that them leaving out the word “Easter” as the reason for their closing has any ulterior motive whatsoever. Perhaps they just don’t feel the need to state what they consider to be obvious. Perhaps they’re not closing due to Easter, but needed to close for a day to take care of whatever it is that libraries need to close to take care of, and figured that Easter would be a good day, as it would likely be slow in the library. Lots of retail businesses use holidays to do their inventory, for example. Perhaps someone told someone to make a sign stating that they were closing on the 16th, so someone did. Ten years ago, if a place had a sign that said “Closed Sunday 4/7”, no one would have batted an eye. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/27 "2006-04-14T23:25:03Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] My library is closed 4/16 too. But then, it’s closed 4/9 and 4/22 and every other Sunday. They’re only open 10a-2p on Saturdays. [/QUOTE] Are you in Orange County? Here in Seminole County, we’re open 9-5 on Saturdays and 1-5 on Sundays – even this coming Easter Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/28 "2006-04-15T00:03:11Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] We’ve seen a lot of those thinkprogress freeze frames that purport to “prove” that O’Reilly = bad, but they’re pretty unconvincing since they don’t have the needed context to decide exatly what’s going on. I think O’Reilly is a bully and blow-hard, and spends way too much time promoting himself instead of focusing on the issues, but that link doesn’t say much to me. I’d have to to see the verbage that went with the second screen shot. [/QUOTE] You should have read a little longer, since they included [this link](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/12/oreilly-easter/) to their earlier coverage of Bill’s condemnation of the “War on Easter”, along with a link to [Fox’s video](http://billoreilly.com/show;jsessionid=427C1DB994691F23847B80F0C27328F1?action=viewTVShow&showID=756#5) of the segment in question. Though I think a quote like “Although some left-wingers in the media deny it, we have documented a number of cases where Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter have been attacked by secular interests” provides its own context. \ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/29 "2006-04-15T00:13:44Z")
[QUOTE=rjung] You should have read a little longer, since they included [this link](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/12/oreilly-easter/) to their earlier coverage of Bill’s condemnation of the “War on Easter”, along with a link to [Fox’s video](http://billoreilly.com/show;jsessionid=427C1DB994691F23847B80F0C27328F1?action=viewTVShow&showID=756#5) of the segment in question. Though I think a quote like “Although some left-wingers in the media deny it, we have documented a number of cases where Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter have been attacked by secular interests” provides its own context. \ [/QUOTE] I’m still unconvinced. Even in the shot of him saying there isn’t an attack on Easter like the one on Christmas, he says there have been two documented “incidents” . What that says to me is there is a War on Christmas, but just a few minor skirmishes related to Easter. You have to understand how O’Reilly thinks. He honestly thinks there’s an organized attack against Christmas by “secular humanists”. Within his own defined parameters, he is being consistent. Don’t make me defend his parameters, though… 🙂 PS: Happy Easter (from your friendly neighborhood atheist)! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/30 "2006-04-15T00:20:31Z")
[QUOTE=Eve] Your libraries _usually_ are open on Sundays? Lucky you! New York and New Jersey libraries are always closed on Sundays, and in New Jersey, they close _all damn weekend_ during the summer. [/QUOTE] You mean NYC? Because I’m in Upstate and it’s usually open for a few hours on Sundays. What drives me crazy is they close at 7 PM on weekdays. This is a college town! My old library opened until 9 PM on weekdays. ---
**Author:** ![the\_only\_bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b2d939/32.png) [@the\_only\_bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_only_bunny)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/31 "2006-04-15T01:17:09Z")
Our library has a sign saying closed in honor of Easter. New Years day is also a lot of closings. Thank god for movie theaters. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/32 "2006-04-15T01:23:17Z")
[QUOTE=Dinsdale] **The Chicago Public Library will be closed Sunday 4/16/06.** My first thought was, “Hmm. Wonder why they are closing? Maybe some construction or maintenance?” [/QUOTE] FYI: [FEDERAL hOLIDAYS 2006](http://www.opm.gov/fedhol/2006.asp) Most likely City Policy to give library and other non-essential employees the day off. As I recall Chicago has a signifigant RC population. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_O\_Malley\_s\_Cow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Mrs\_O\_Malley\_s\_Cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_O_Malley_s_Cow)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/33 "2006-04-15T01:27:17Z")
[QUOTE=rjung] You should have read a little longer, since they included [this link](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/12/oreilly-easter/) to their earlier coverage of Bill’s condemnation of the “War on Easter”, along with a link to [Fox’s video](http://billoreilly.com/show;jsessionid=427C1DB994691F23847B80F0C27328F1?action=viewTVShow&showID=756#5) of the segment in question. Though I think a quote like “Although some left-wingers in the media deny it, we have documented a number of cases where Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter have been attacked by secular interests” provides its own context. \ [/QUOTE] On O’Reilly the other night, he stated that there was no war on easter and that there have been only two incidents of anything happening one of which was a guy being told to take down pictures of Easter Eggs in his cubicle. About the Christmas thing: I celebrate Christmas. I say Merry Christmas. Someone can tell me Happy Hannakah, Merry Christmas, Have a Nice Day or Happy Winter Solistice, I will smile and say Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/34 "2006-04-15T06:29:51Z")
Saying closed on Easter without mentioning the date would be confusing for me, since I wouldn’t necessarily know when Easter is. It changes every year after all. Saying closed for Easter, on a public building, would seem to violate the establishment cause in a trivial sort of way. The fact that Orthodox christians sometimes celebrate Easter on a different day makes it even more problematical. It would be better than saying “closed for the day our savior rose after the Jews killed him” though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/35 "2006-04-15T13:08:22Z")
[QUOTE=Big Bad Voodoo Lou] Are you in Orange County? Here in Seminole County, we’re open 9-5 on Saturdays and 1-5 on Sundays – even this coming Easter Sunday. [/QUOTE] I’m in Lake County. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/36 "2006-04-15T16:00:21Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] What part of Jersey? The two main branches of the Monmouth County Library are always opened on Saturday. [/QUOTE] Bergen County, northern NJ. Since I moved here in '81 've been fighting this, writing to the library heads, the newspapers (I’m the official Town Cranky Old Lady). From Memorial Day through Labor Day, libraries are closed _Saturdays and Sundays_. Infuriating! Who has time to go to the library after work at night? So, summers, I just go to the NYC libraries during my lunch hour. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/37 "2006-04-15T16:05:39Z")
[QUOTE=DanBlather] Saying closed for Easter, on a public building, would seem to violate the establishment cause in a trivial sort of way. The fact that Orthodox christians sometimes celebrate Easter on a different day makes it even more problematical. [/QUOTE] I disagree. As I’ve said before, Easter (and Christmas) have both secular celebrations and religious celebrations. The government can actively participate in secular celebrations. Even if they can’t, however, I have no problem with their recognizing that the majority of their constituents and employees are going to be taking the day off anyway, and explaining to folks why that’s happening. If a majority-Catholic school district gives students “Good Friday” off, that doesn’t bother me any more than if a majority-Jewish school district gives students “Yom Kippur” off: it’s just being no-bullshit about why they’re shutting down on that day. As I see it, they’ve got three major choices: 1. Try to stay open on that day even though most constituents won’t be using services and most employees will be taking a personal day–a quixotic goal at best; 2. Close down but be coy about the reason for it; or 3. Close down and tell people why. I’d much prefer option 3. As a data point: our local libraries are closed from Thursday through Sunday for the Easter holiday. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/38 "2006-04-15T20:00:03Z")
If it’s a Federal holiday, the library is going to be closed, and so is the post office and all other government buildings. It’s the same for Presidents’ Day, July 4th, Christmas, Cesar Chavez Day (OK, maybe that’s a California thing), and MLK Day. It seems to me that arguing about whether it’s establishment should be taken up with the feds. But really, Easter is almost completely secularized and most of the symbolism is pagan anyhow. You might as well call it Happy Spring Day and leave it at that. (Even changing the name would only de-paganize it. Everyone else calls it some version of _Pascha_, which is far more Judeo-Christian.) ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/39 "2006-04-15T20:22:17Z")
Isn’t this weekend also Passover? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673/40 "2006-04-15T20:24:21Z")
[QUOTE=DanBlather] Saying closed for Easter, on a public building, would seem to violate the establishment cause in a trivial sort of way. [/QUOTE] But it is closed for Easter, so I can’t see any reason not to say it. And you would never get a SCOTUS to agree that something like that violates the establishment clause. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-closed-sunday-04-16/352673.md?page=3)