Dear Editor,
We were very disappointed to hear about the UCP government’s decision to temporarily cut library funding by 50 per cent. This will impact precisely the small rural libraries so important to our communities that already exist on minimal funds, supported by volunteers and local patrons. I think especially of Barrhead, Westlock, Jarvie and Rich Valley. Although proposed as a temporary cut, such a decision creates unnecessary anxiety and concern for staff and library boards.
Pennywise, pound foolish is the appropriate idiom to apply to such decisions.
In addition, libraries provide the following important educational and social supports (not in order of priority):
- isolated seniors can access books, movies and magazines from all libraries
- libraries are important public safe places for the community
- new Canadians and their children can access resources to learn English
- free access to computers offers job searches, health information etc.
- children’s programs
- book clubs
And many, many other services and benefits.
We hope that this is not the future for funding of important public services in this province.
•••
“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader! ” (Margaret Fuller)
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you will go.” (Dr. Seuss)
Roger and Hope Manuel
Barrhead
