‘Resource we cannot afford to lose ...’

'Could we afford swimming pools for kids?'
6/24/11
Thumbs up to beautiful homes
6/24/11
Charles Krauthammer: U.S. needs a new way to decide when we’re at war
6/24/11
Treasurer: ‘County finances can be rather complex’
6/24/11
'He's right on target'
6/20/11
> More opinion headlines

2:33 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2010

When you think about quality of life in a community, you first think of safety, followed by economic vitality and public schools. Studies are showing that, more and more, people are looking at the quality-of-life amenities, like culture, recreation and the arts, almost as much as those first mentioned. After all, today a person can choose a great place to live and enjoy life and, with a cell phone and a laptop computer, they can work from anywhere.

So it becomes very important for communities to build and sustain these amenities if they are to remain competitive in the future. An important component of culture in a community is the local public library. In Hamilton, we are blessed with a great system in the Lane Libraries. But now, the quality of that system is under serious threat.

Libraries offer everyone the opportunity to access knowledge and information. In these tough economic times, when some people are forced to tighten budgets, they may lose their ability at home to connect to the Internet — if they had it in the first place. You can solve that problem at the library. You get free access to the Internet to apply for jobs online, to research ways to improve your education, and even apply for unemployment. You can also connect with family and friends.

In good times and bad, the library helps children learn the basics of reading and writing. Young children can participate in story hour or join a summer reading program. Adults can improve their education at any level and older adults can find large-print editions, audio books and an endless array of research and reference materials.

The library is a community gathering place where one can find serenity as they discover both enjoyment and mind-stretching books, periodicals and virtual resources.

Today, the Lane Libraries need our help. Due to the cutbacks in the state budget, libraries have been hit hard. Just like funding for the arts, they have experienced a 47 percent cut in state funding. This makes it more than challenging to provide the services demanded by the public.

Please join me in supporting the library levy on May 4. It’s a community resource that we cannot afford to lose.

Rick H. Jones

Executive director

Fitton Center for

Creative Arts

Hamilton

Election

deadline

The deadline for letters to the editor related to the May 4 election is at noon Monday, April 26. No election-related letters will be published after Friday, April 30.

Share this article