Public libraries have been a mainstay of my life. They represent an individual's right to acquire knowledge; they are the sinews that bind civilized societies the world over. Without libraries, I would be a pauper, intellectually and spiritually.
~ James Michener, American writer
There is no question that over the four years of this economic depression we have endured, we have seen the demise of many businesses, we have seen many people lose their homes and we have seen many worthwhile programs fall by the wayside because of tight budgets.
Caught up in the wake of all the misfortunes we have seen and endured, is the serious threat to our library and its future existence. A library that once won state awards now is forced to leave books unshelved and new books unordered.
Many of us discovered the world and enjoyed the thrills of being a pirate or a fairy princess because of the treasures of books that our local library held.
Our society is built on the knowledge received from books; we cannot as that society afford to dampen the power that a community library provides our families. Our library does not just offer books. It circulates movies and offers many access to computers, access they would not find anywhere else. The library also has information on resumes and can assist those searching for work.
Yet here in Newton County, we now have a dilemma, the tax well is going dry. The library is not receiving close to the funding it received formerly.
In order to save our library, we are going to need a groundswell of community people who care enough and appreciate the fact that a free public library is as important to the preservation of our freedoms as is the right to vote.
We might suggest that our civic groups and churches and just plain folks join in to save our library.
Eat one less hamburger, one less large tea; the money spent on that candy bar could be put in a jar and given to the library.
We can save our library one penny at a time. To donate money or to get an idea on what you can do to help save our library, contact any member of the Friends of the Library or stop by the library at 7116 Floyd Street or call (770) 787-3231.
