A beautiful statement by West Boylston’s Library Director, Louise Howland.
“Libraries will get you through times of no money better
than money will get you through times with no libraries”
Natalie Design
ALA, 1991
These are strange times for library supporters and officials. Individuals, businesses, and community groups continue to strongly support the library with donations and with their time; yet, at the same time, town officials struggle valiantly to fund the community’s library. Library use is up while the library budget is reduced. There is a constant battle waged against the reality of local library services and the notion that libraries are somehow obsolete or non-essential.
For the majority of people in West Boylston, the Library shares the essential nature of other municipal and community organizations. Communities that are thriving, even just surviving within today’s economic challenges, are made up of many such successful groups, a single fabric from many threads.
In 1912 this community received a gift of inestimable value from a humble, yet successful farmer George Calvin Rice. On September 6, 1912 the dedication of the Beaman Memorial Public Library took place. At that time the library was open to the public for 22 hours each week and by 1929, with the Great Depression looming, the library was open for 26 hours per week.
While times have changed and libraries are very different places in 2009 than they were in 1929, the economic challenge facing West Boylston and its citizens at this time is equally great. The Trustees and staff will have to struggle to maintain the current level of services and hours within the reduced budget for FY2010, but we know we are all in this together and we will rise to the challenge.
A strong and vibrant library is necessary for continued community sustainability as an educational institution for all citizens and as a worthy partner for other public and private entities such as: schools, businesses, and organizations. Our supporters recognize that we each need to cherish and promote all our public places, public services, and public professionals. We all need to remain strong in order for West Boylston to continue to be perceived as a great place to live and raise our families and as a wonderful place to retire. With your continued support, we will be here to help make that happen.
