I wasn't alive for '78, but my decades of reading intrepid young characters make me think it would come across as plausible in a big town or city. I'd believe it if a small town or rural library had the physical papers available. I love to "go fiche," though! It's such a cool concept to introduce.

I think it would depend on a few things: if the library sent out for fiche and when (turnaround time both ways), whether they had room for back issues to be stored at all on site. I imagine that the person would need to go to the newspaper's archive if the library/system was small.

For perspective, in '08, Obama won Indiana and the state elected 5 Dems to the House (of 9 seats!). There was a Dem Senator most years from '99 to '19. The shift to what Indiana looks like today took less than 20 years. Bail on the hope the next state doesn't swing or save my home? I pick the work.

It’s not mean or unkind to live in reality. Lament the state of our political discourse, but don’t give our reality-based truths away to someone’s misfortune or tragedy. Does anyone deserve to get shot for being cruel? Not necessarily. But being a cruel person who gets shot doesn’t make you good.

Yes, real mail! There was a handwritten line on each of our copies about what we wrote re: "what is your biggest concern this session?" First time I felt like my answers were read in full on any politician's survey.

I hope you have a phenomenal time with the gkids. They're so lucky to have you!

Thank you for writing about this cut and highlighting the other hits to libraries and schools! Living in Indiana is, simply put, weird. It helps knowing other people see what's happening here, too.