The Butler Area Public Library has demonstrated much energy and determination in its yearlong campaign to raise $100,000. As of the past week, a total of $79,640 had been raised, and the library was planning one more public appeal before year's end.

For the first time, the library opted for a phone-a-thon as a means for raising funds, and the effort paid off to the tune of $5,900.

The library also has been actively pursuing memberships for its new Second Century Society, which requires a $100 donation. According to Lisa Konesni, a library board member, there are 159 charter members to date.

Money raised through the Second Century Society sign-ups is allocated toward the $100,000 goal.

There's a benefit to society membership. Several Butler businesses offer discounts on services, but helping the library should be the first intent of that membership.

Information about donating to the fundraising effort or joining the Second Century Society is available by calling 724-287-1715.

This has not been an easy year for the library. The local library, as well as others across the commonwealth, have been forced to deal with a 37 percent state funding cut.

The local library has worked hard to minimize the negative impact of that cut to those who use the library. Library officials merit praise for all the library has been able to accomplish despite the state-imposed hardship.

Perhaps what has been learned this year about the availability of funds in the community - if the library dedicates itself to seeking them - will work to the library's advantage in terms of future support.

After the furor over the Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake incident at this year's Super Bowl, it was logical to anticipate that items of a questionable nature for a family football audience would not be shown.ABC-TV obviously didn't get the message, considering the steamy intro to the past week's "Monday Night Football," which featured a naked Nicollette Sheridan jumping into the arms of Philadelphia Eagle Terrell Owens. Prior to the game, ABC showed the actress and Owens in an empty locker room in an attempt to spoof the network hit "Desperate Housewives."The National Fooball League was correct in calling the intro "inappropriate and unsuitable" for the "Monday Night Football" audience. But after the Super Bowl incident, the NFL, as well as ABC, is deserving of criticism.The league and networks televising NFL games should have an understanding about what is appropriate and what is not - and should have a process for previewing questionable items before they are aired.

The Butler Township Police Department's announcement that officers will begin citing homeowners or individuals who violate the township's burning ordinance shows why problems evolve.It shouldn't have taken "numerous complaints concerning the burning of leaves and other materials" for the police to have enforced an ordinance that is on the books.If officials don't insist on enforcement of a municipal regulation, that regulation ought to be removed from the books.Numerous municipalities in this state have problems with junk-vehicle violations and illegal dumping. Those problems exist because initial violations weren't addressed immediately - and, the lack of enforcement provided a window for the problem to get out of hand.The Butler Township commissioners should insist that the township police don't ignore leaf-burning or any other violations of existing laws. And, the same applies to all other municipalities.