Friday, June 29, 2012

Restore library funding for Arundel

http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2012-06-29/Letters/Restore_library_funding_for_Arundel.html

To the editor:

So now Arundel has thrown away free access rights for our residents to Kennebunk Free Library.

Unless something changes quickly, soon all Arundel residents who want to use the wonderful services of the library will have to pay an annual membership fee of about $35 a year. No more free use of the community meeting rooms or free storytelling sessions for toddlers and preschool children. Goodbye to free after-school programs. Basically, our selectmen have said no to all free programs for Arundel’s children that develop early literacy skills and a love of learning and books.

For us grown-ups, no more free in person and online discussion programs for research, reader development, language learning or job searching. No more free lectures or cultural performances and other community service programs.

Talk about being penny wise and pound foolish. Sure, keeping free public library for Arundel citizens is an old fashioned concept. But so are democracy and the pursuit of happiness. We need to get our perspective right and focus on those services that benefit all the citizens of Arundel. I dare say most people in town will be aghast to learn that they no longer have what many consider to be a basic right of living in a modern attractive town, free library access.

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