The sound of noise from Little League at our San Diego parks is so comforting to me. While I pretend to be just walking my dog at Standley Park in University City (UC), in truth I am watching the wonder of being an American, a San Diegan involved in baseball. I love to see all the ball fields filled with children, from T-ball dreamers to tested veterans. Coaches pace and pitch ideas to their charges: “Watch the runner on first.” “Two out, two out. Get ready.” Faithful parents line up their chairs in anticipation of that official call from the umpire: “Play ball.” I watch the action and remember my own son’s days of dreams about baseball as a Little Leaguer, his dirty uniforms and earth-stained socks that nearly broke the washing machine. Thank God for parks like Standley, Nobel and La Jolla, and thank God for the volunteers who provide Little League and sports teams all year long: soccer, football, softball and basketball. Two blocks from Standley is the UC public library. The sound of silence in libraries is no longer possible. Our librarians have reinvented the libraries as community centers full of joyful participants. Those in the trenches know how libraries have changed with technology. Spending off-hours at the library working on a display case design, I heard and watched people bang on the door to get in — a lot of people. By the time the library opened, a long line waited outside. However, the news must not have floated up to the 11th floor of the city administration building, where the mayor’s proposed budget slashed and burned the park, recreation center and library. It is obvious that those who work in that rarified air of Floor No. 11 have no idea what is happening on the first floor of community libraries and recreation centers. Having been blessed with being a grandma to two boys, ages six and eight months, and two girls, ages five and two, I’ve spent a lot of time at parks across the city and in libraries across the county because county library hours are much longer. Watching a six-year-old sound out words while sitting hip-to-hip with his grandma in a library is some kind of miracle. Taking the toddlers to story time is a dream come true. Because of the shortened hours and my shortened memory, I always forget which day the libraries open early and which day they close late. Each Monday I visit with the kids, and it breaks my heart to know I can’t take them to the library. Sometimes I drive to 4S Ranch near Rancho Bernardo. Other times I hike up to Encinitas. I crave libraries the way pregnant women crave certain foods. San Diego libraries are so full of life and used by people of all ages. Deborah Barrow is the head librarian overseeing all 36 libraries in San Diego. Six million people visit these libraries annually. What an unbelievable responsibility for her. I bet these branch libraries are like children to her. She is forced to be a spokesperson of the mayor’s edict about halving the already anemic schedule of library hours. If I were Ms. Barrows I would tell the mayor in his 11th floor office of the city administration building far away from the crowded libraries that I couldn’t be the messenger of his madness, that the children in San Diego need to have these libraries open more, not less. Find the money somewhere else. Walter Conkrite once said, “Whatever the cost of libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” Let the City Council work half-time at half pay, and the mayor too, as someone proposed. Open wide the doors of libraries, recreation centers and parks. Bill Clinton recently said, “Aspirations of ordinary people are being overlooked as the nation tries to work through budget woes.” Let’s make certain our voices are heard on behalf of the children. Tonight, April 21, show up at Kearny High School from 6 to 7 p.m. at 7651 Wellington Way, 92111, or on April 28 at Vi Jacobs Center from 6 to 7 p.m., 404 Euclid, 92114, to tell the mayor libraries and rec centers are the hearts of the communities, well used and well worth the investment.