Dear Editor,
I am hoping that readers of the Dispatch will vote “Yes” on Proposition 81. I am a retired school librarian and I worked for 32 years in Gilroy school libraries. I can’t help but be concerned about all the school children I knew who did not have a place to study at home or have very many sources of information for their school projects.
The libraries at the schools, unfortunately, close when the children go home. The public library provides a place for students to do their homework, access information in many formats, participate in reading programs and even do the word processing required by many teachers. Many of these children do not have computers at home. What better place for students to go after they leave school than the public library? The library also provides large print books, books on tape, and other services for people with disabilities.
Library usage has grown tremendously. Visit the library any afternoon and you will witness the activities going on there. It is imperative that we not allow our library to stagnate due to lack of space.
I have chosen to retire here in Gilroy and I want to know that the services of the library will continue to be available to me and all residents. I want us to plan for the future – a future with a new public library. I feel strongly that if Proposition 81 passes, Gilroy will have a very good chance at receiving the funding needed to build a new facility. I participated in the group which planned a new facility and I would very much like to see in come to fruition. On June 6, vote yes on Proposition 81.
Carol Smith, Gilroy
