To the Editor:
Being a volunteer at the Shrewsbury Public Library since 1999 I am familiar with the daily comings and goings of our busy historic site with 1000 patrons a day visiting.? One task I perform is keeping the “Friends of the Library” on-going Book Sale shelves full; it's amazing how many books are purchased, to say nothing of books borrowed via circulation.
Opponents of the Library Renovation Project would have voters believe that libraries and paper books are things of the past as E-book technology improves and is more readily available, but obviously they don’t see mothers, children and adults returning and checking out armloads of materials on a regular basis.
I’ve had the opportunity these last few weeks to go house to-house to help judge support for the project and I’m pleased that support is there, but misunderstandings persist.? Tax impact will be slight, but failure to take advantage of a generous state grant is fiscally unwise.? A very wise man? told me-“It's like your washing machine–why would you waste money making repairs out of pocket when you can buy new with guaranteed help and be set for many years to come?”
Please check with trustworthy people who know the facts, make a responsible decision for our town and our children, and vote YES for the library project on November 5th.
Dean C. Gillam
Shrewsbury