*Updated*


National Library Week

below is an edited and *final* version of a letter to the editor I just resubmitted to the Barre - Montpelier Times Argus for publication.

it is a letter written in honor of National Library Week (i.e., April 18-24, 2004) and in support of local libraries, like the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, in general.

Dear Editor, Times Argus


April 18-24, 2004 is National Library Week.

This realization recently caused me to reflect about how libraries have continued to influence, inspire, educate and guide my learning, knowledge, understanding and overall life from the first day I ever walked into one to the present day.

Over the years I have discovered how much can be learned about a community and its people by exploring its local library.

No matter how large or small a local library may be, each of them have hard working, dedicated and competent librarians and volunteers who staff them, as well as dedicated board members, who serve them. Without the huge commitment these people lend, our libraries would not be able to function properly or, even be able to exist.

Local libraries act as an essential foundation of the lifelong learning resources and capacity our communities and each of its citizens have come to enjoy and count on. It is crucial to ensure that this foundation remains solid, strong and sound.

Public libraries, along with those who work within them, are rich and valuable resources. Yet our local libraries are too often taken for granted and under-funded or, at the very least, far down the food chain when funding considerations are prioritized and allocated.

There is far more to the operation of libraries than meets the eye. If people were to possibly learn a little more about what goes on behind the scenes, they might appreciate better why it is important to properly fund and support our libraries more than already may be the case.

Please make every effort to support and use your local public library as the precious community resource it is.


Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

an edited version of the above letter to the editor was published in the Saturday, April 24, 2004 edition of the Barre - Montpelier Times Argus, here (third letter down the page, entitled Appreciate, use local libraries).


note: updated this blog post with the more recent edited version:yet another update to provide the link to the published version available online: last updated on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 4:40 PM [EDT].