Public Library vital to seekers of knowledge

Opinion

September 3, 2010

Anonymous Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Fri Sep 03, 2010, 10:16 AM CDT

LAUREL — To the editor:

Laurel has been hit doubly hard lately. I am pinpointing a decline in support for the Laurel-Jones County Library by cuts in funding. This reduction has forced the Library to close its doors on Wednesdays and has probably cut other meaningful services to a bare minimum. The other insensible loss in Laurel was the closure of Waldenbooks.

Focusing upon the Library’s cut in funding, I consider it an atrocious error in judgment. To enable a city to have an abounding Library is a sign of excellence. A Library is not only a resource center for information, it is also a forum for activities which enhances and breathes productivity into the populace. It is an environment that is conducive to broadening patrons horizons and overall skill-building with tools to achieve.

I do recognize the argument that the Internet may reduce the reliance upon the Library’s services. I still believe overall that the community is best served in this environment of the meeting of the minds, of necessary interaction of participating seekers of knowledge and learning. The Library is a common ground for a wealth of activities and discussions and should not be underestimated in its importance and richness of benefits. The narrowing away of its tools to provide ample benefits to its patrons does not seem appropriate in any aspect.

– Glenda Flynt

Laurel

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