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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Loss of Longmeadow's Library Services

The culture and community of Longmeadow is based on a foundation of learning. We pride ourselves in our School System. It serves 3,100 children. For this system the town budgeted to spend 74% of town revenues this year, or $34,500,000, for schools. Our Storrs Library also is one of our prides. The Library serves all 16,000 of us. This year our town budgeted 1.8% of revenues, or $838,000, for our Library; this amount is one fortieth of what we spend on the schools.

For next fiscal year, your town government is looking to reduce library hours to below the minimum required by State government to obtain their financial support. Should library hours be cut to below 50 per week, Storrs Library will be decertified by the state.

WHAT LONGMEADOW LIBRARY WILL LOSE IF DECERTIFIED !

  • All free borrowing privileges and services at area libraries
  • State funds to purchase, maintain, and upgrade library computers
  • Access to important educational materials for students from elementary school through college
  • Professional staff to provide research assistance for school projects, workforce development and online government resource use
  • Full programming schedules throughout the year for CHILDREN and adults
  • Free and open access to wireless and broadband internet connections
  • Timely and convenient access to current newspapers, periodicals, books, DVDs and audio.

Town government must budget next year what is needed to keep our Storrs Library doors open and functioning well 50 hours per week.

To prevent decertification, email or write NOW to your Select Board and Town Manager:

Robert Barkett; Paul Santaniello; Rob Aseltine; William Scibelli; Robin Crosbie; Mark Gold

Write them at Select Board, Town of Longmeadow, 20 Williams Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106

Your Select Board meets next Monday, March 1 and on March 8 to continue their discussion of library funding for next year.

Submitted by Roger Wojcik

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1 comment:

  1. JGFebruary 26, 2010 at 10:48 PM

    I sent this letter to our Town Leaders -

    This coming May marks the 30th year that my husband and I have lived in Longmeadow. Our two sons, who are now adults, attended our public schools and graduated from Longmeadow High School. Beginning with our first year of residence I have been a patron of the Storrs Library. Story Hours for preschool children and Summer Reading Programs were available to our sons during their youth and have still been available to others. I still fondly remember the day when my children were able to get their own Library Card. It was used very often. Books for research, for Book Reports or for reading enjoyment meant a trip to our library.

    Our Librarians always greeted my sons and myself with a smile and helped locate whatever material was needed for any current project.

    Currently, our adult sons live in other cities, but I visit our Storrs Library often to borrow Children’s Books. For 3 years I have been the Volunteer Senior Reader in the Kindergarten Classes at Center School. This program is run by the Longmeadow Adult Center. I borrow the books that I carefully choose to read to the children from our town library. If a particular book is not available in our town library, I am able to borrow it from other libraries via the C/WMars system.

    I was very disappointed to learn that our library hours will be cut to 45 hours per week. Our town’s finances are very tight, but our library is a gem that is utilized by residents of all ages. It is my understanding that in order for our Storrs Library to remain certified it must be open to the public for 50 hours per week. Without the certification, valuable, much needed state funds will not be awarded. Privileges and programs will be lost. For those reasons I strongly ask you to reconsider and keep our Storrs Library open for the needed 50 hours per week.

    Sincerely,
    Judy Moran

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