Conversation at a recent Friends meeting was still animated after nearly 3 hours. Someone asked if we felt our town selectmen really “got it”. This ignited a short recitation of the material losses we’d suffer from a library closure. Then one person raised her voice slightly above the conversation to say “Hey, hey – it’s not about the books.” In the moment of startled silence she added, “we’re not here until 9:00 because we won’t be able to get books.” Everyone smiled or chuckled with intuitive understanding.
Scholars have traced early libraries back thousands of years—to a time when clay tablets were products of a digital revolution. Civilized societies have endowed and preserved their libraries through countless fiscal crises, demographic shifts and distruptive technologies. Why?
This is the question library advocates need to reflect upon. We must explicate the insight shared among the West Boylston Friends. We must reaffirm the values that countless global generations have nurtured and perpetuated via their public libraries. And then we must adapt our institutions to continue their vital missions using the many resources available to us.
It is absolutely unbelievable that the town selectman are allowing this to happen. They can’t open the pool; we don’t have a town hall like every other New England town but rent space in an industrial area; and now the library? What’s next? The schools? How does the administrator leave out money for the library in the budget? His salary alone would probably keep the library open. This is misfeasance on the part of the selectman and they should all be voted out of office. What are they cutting in the budget? I am embarrassed to live in this town.
Anonymous – I am also disappointed with our town officials’ response to the financial challenges facing West Boylston; there has been very little communication about the tough choices before us.
Sometimes the people need to lead the leaders – and this strikes me as one of those times. I’d encourage you to phone the library and ask for the name of someone in the Friends Group who will know how you can join with others to help make sure our voices are heard.
The Friends page of the website also has info on how to help. See: http://www.beamanlibrary.org/friendsrescue.html.
Keep the faith, RP