The library has been there for me for practical things, like research. I have actually come to care about the subjects of many essays through the books I found in the library. But the library is there for more than practical uses. It’s quiet and comfortable, a kind of escape. It encourages you to relax, read, and stay awhile. It’s a place with no limits. It inspires and facilitates dreams.
That is why I support the library levy.
— Hannah Blair
Oregonia
Don’t let libraries fade away
Ninety years ago, the state was crisscrossed with a network of trolleys, trains and other modes of transportation. Today, we are searching for ways to replicate something we once had and have lost.
Waynesville, as well as other municipalities, is in jeopardy of losing another institution that will be difficult to replace if lost — our public libraries. Besides providing access to books, reference materials, periodicals and newspapers, the Mary L. Cook Public Library offers DVDs, Internet service with WiFi, computer classes, programs for children, young adults, and seniors, an outreach service for the homebound, teacher resources, fax service, voter registrations and tax forms.
I feel honor bound to admit my bias for our library ... my wife works there as youth services coordinator. It saddens me to see the anguish she has in contemplating which youth programs must be cut because of budgetary constraints.
So, will our libraries fade into history as our once proud transportation system did? Remember this as you go to the polls.
— Cameron F. Daniels
Waynesville
Cook library is a treasure
I have been a lifelong reader and patron of libraries wherever I’ve lived. When we moved to northern Warren County five years ago, my husband and I found a treasure, the Mary L. Cook Public Library.
This library has been serving the area almost 100 years and, for the first time, is proposing a 1.0 mill operating levy, which will appear on the ballot as Issue 26.
Visit the library on any day and you will find not only the books and periodicals you might expect, but much more. You may see toddlers enjoying story time or seniors reading a newspaper or magazine. You may find a group in the community room discussing topics from history, to gardening, to shopping tips.
The population using the library has increased by 62 percent since 2000, while funding has decreased. Dollars can be stretched only so far, and the library has reduced hours, restricted purchase of materials and decreased staff compensation to make ends meet.
If we had to purchase all the books we check out and the newspapers and periodicals we read at the library, we would need to budget at least $1,000 a year. We can demonstrate how much we value our public library by voting yes for Issue 26.
— Peg Rice
Waynesville
Support Waynesville’s library
I strongly urge people to vote yes for the levy in support of the Mary L. Cook Library in Waynesville. I am a senior at Waynesville High School and a member of the Teen Advisory Board at the library. For all my life, my family has enjoyed going to the library to check out books and movies, and to participate in many programs. It is a warm, friendly, welcoming place, and an important asset to our community.
The summer reading programs spurred my interest in reading. At school, we all looked forward to the visits from library staff to entertain us and encourage us to keep on reading. When it is time for school projects like the science fair, I cannot imagine what we would do without the library. They have always had the science books ready for us and all the instructions we need to put together our project boards and presentations.
The Mary L. Cook Library has also become a very important resource for those of us who need access to computers for research and for preparing schoolwork. I also see many adults using the computers, so I know there is a strong need for this.
Many teens in our community have had the opportunity to work with youth in the summer book buddy programs.
We need Mary L. Cook Library to keep providing services to all our citizens, and that can only happen if this levy passes. Please don’t let our community down. It is an investment that benefits everyone.
— Megan Markl
Waynesville