TimesLeader.com

An Open Letter to Pennsylvania Decision

An Open Letter to Pennsylvania Decision Makers:

I write to you today with a strong, sincere plea. I write to you on behalf of myself and those who cannot. I write to implore you to support level funding for libraries for the upcoming budget.

Libraries have played an important role in my education and in my life, and I’m assuming they did the same for you and for everyone you know. Because of the resources they make available, libraries give millions of Pennsylvanians the tools they need to make their ambitions a reality. Our libraries helped make our dreams come true, and they’re still doing that. That’s what libraries specialize in.

Just ask the inner-city kids whose parents take them to story hour because they want their kids to have a better life. Listen to the children who sound out the words in early reader books and clap with pride when they’re able to slowly string the words into sentences. Watch the teen who hangs out at library programs instead of smoky alleys. Hear the moms who connect with one another when volunteering at used book sales, or the volunteers who bring cupcakes made from scratch just to make a few more bucks for the place they love, too. Peek over the shoulders of the retirees who are learning how to surf the net at their local library. The benefits are all around you.

As a child, I was always eager for a trip to the library. I’m 44 now, and I still feel a thrill walking into a library. It saddens me greatly to know there is a chance that library funding is in jeopardy in the upcoming state budget. The negative consequences of such a financial gash have the potential to last for two, five or even 10 years. Please don’t let that happen. Please don’t close such a welcoming door.

I respectfully ask you to support level funding of all library programs in the FY 2009-2010 budget. Because everyone deserves the joy of a dream fulfilled. Everyone deserves a library.

Tricia Richards

South Abington Township