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April 23, 2010
Letter: Let's do our best to keep the library open
northjersey.com
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Last updated: Thursday April 15, 2010, 12:28 PM
Verona-Cedar Grove Times
Letter to the Editor
Editor, The Times:
I was amazed and horrified to read of the board's proposal to close the Cedar Grove Public Library as a way to solve a budget shortfall. The library plays an important role in the welfare of the entire town – children as well as elderly. It was mentioned by one board member that many people in the town don’t have a library card. I think that is a shame and not a pretty statement on the state of Cedar Grove. What does that say about our education system? Why aren’t the children in first or second grade taken to the library as they once were and shown the resources available and given library cards? The library should be a required part of a child’s education. I know that computers play an important role when it comes to research, but they cannot replace books and reading.
It is essential to foster a love of reading in children. Reading is a way to continue one’s education forever. Reading expands the horizons of any child or adult. One can explore foreign cultures, other countries, learn about history or people's lives to name just a few.
The many other libraries in the area were mentioned, but this would not be a solution for many elderly and children who walk to the library or have friends or family pick up their books when at the post office or town hall. A library is meant to be a town resource available to all members of the town. What does closing the library say about our town and its priorities?
I don't understand how there is money to fund more sports fields or recreation sports teams, and the library comes under attack. Perhaps we ought to question our priorities more in this town. Are we really doing what's best for our children and the citizens and their education and benefit?
Linda A. Cronin
Posted by tumulty at April 23, 2010 6:44 PM
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