To the Editor:
As a former President of the Friends of the Wiscasset Public Library, I was stunned to learn the Wiscasset Budget Committee had unanimously recommended against town funding for the library this year. It also shocked me to read a recent letter to the editor which asked “Who goes to the library any more?”
I wish those who think the library is no longer necessary would spend a day there and see just who uses it, and how many services it provides. In addition to the many books which the library circulates each year, it provides access to computers and other technology, local historical records, a truly first class art room, newspapers, magazines, large print books, videos, and even a fine telescope which can be borrowed for home use.
There is a room with materials appropriate to young adults, and a wonderful children’s room which provides a weekly story hour and crafts session, as well as a summer reading program which keeps our children reading when they are on summer vacation. Where else in our town can we do so much to instill a love of books and reading?
Our town has historically supported the library to supplement what they receive from their endowment funds and their annual appeal. In recent years, when our town budget has been stretched, it has been a more difficult choice to make, but there is no other institution in Wiscasset that provides so much to so many, from the youngest to the oldest residents.
The Friends of the Library group exists because the library never receives enough funding to provide the many and varied services people need and use there. We work extremely hard to fill the gaps that community funding leaves, and we sincerely hope that you will vote in favor of the town’s continued support of this much loved, heavily used, and vitally necessary town treasure.
Don’t forget to vote June 9.
Linda Winterberg
Wiscasset
