Building on Stamford Notes' thoughts about Mayor Pavia's cut-and-burn campaign, I want to chime in on a big story that none of us in the local blogosphere have touched on - the threatened closures of the Bennett, Weed and South End branches of our public library.
It is foolish, short-sighted and completely unacceptable to close a single library or branch. Without a quiet place conducive to reading, where do you think many of Stamford's children are going to spend the time they would've spent at the library? Probably in front of the TV or on the computer.
When did we as a society decide that our children didn't deserve the best possible resources for expanding their minds and enriching their lives with knowledge? They've already lost music and art classes - not to mention P.E. and recess.
I spent countless hours after school reading about far-off places and historic figures. I read the whole Encyclopedia Brown series. I played Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? on an Apple IIg. Heck, it was at the public library that I first discovered Frankenstein and Dracula, leading to a life-long love of horror!
Find the money. Don't kick our kids out of the library and hope they'll learn somewhere else.
Andrew Carnegie is rolling over in his grave.
4 comments:
The Stamford library system is an asset to the city of Stamford. Instead of cutting hours, every effort should be made to expand the exposure and use of the public library. The Stamford library board should be able to effectively raise funds like other Fairfield and Westchester communities.
In Darien, it is reported the new library project cost $27 million, with $3 million from the sale of the previous building and the rest from local fundraising under the leadership of Director Louise Berry.
Please put new leadership in place that can and will get the job done with effective and creative experienced fundraising. With all of the corporate entities in Stamford, a library is one effort many/most can and would back.
PS: There's a Facebook group protesting the closings: Keep the Weed Memorial and Hollander Branch open!
Me thinks that something stinks in this town - some rumors
http://stamfordwhpt.blogspot.com/2010/04/parlor-tricks.html
Well said, SOS!
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