Library deserves support of council, community

Posted 1/14/16

To the Editor:

One of this paper’s recent editorials, “Santa was coming to Cranston, but the Grinches stole Christmas,” presented an issue that, in my opinion, demands more …

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Library deserves support of council, community

Posted

To the Editor:

One of this paper’s recent editorials, “Santa was coming to Cranston, but the Grinches stole Christmas,” presented an issue that, in my opinion, demands more attention. The article mentioned that four of our city’s council members rejected a proposition that would greatly improve one of our community’s public libraries.

The proposition stated that roughly $450,000 stored in a library reserve account would be used to renovate the Cranston Central Library as a “gift” to the city’s children. This renovation would not require any additional funds, so the rejection couldn’t have been caused by a lack of additional funds. This renovation will not be taking place because a handful of Cranston’s city council members decided to defeat the said proposition not once, but twice, even after alterations were made.

I, as a frequent visitor to the Cranston Central Library, was appalled by this decision of theirs. I am 13 years old and attend Western Hills Middle School. I may be young, but I know what is right and what is wrong. Clearly, not everyone in our city does.

For as long as I can remember, I have participated in this library’s summer program and been a frequent patron of theirs. For many years, this library has been operating on a small budget. However, the librarians have continued to work hard to maintain the library. They never cease to provide our community with wonderful activities and books, and are extremely kind and wonderful people. Over the years, they have helped me with numerous things, and they deserve to have their library taken better care of by the city that claims the library as its own. This library is a big part of our community, and I strongly support the renovation proposal.

I find it extremely concerning that some of our council members would find fault with it, and I cannot see what would have caused their rejection. The right thing to do is to support this renovation and the library, as many individuals do. Unfortunately, four of our council members chose to do the wrong thing. The holiday season is about giving and doing the right thing. Those four individuals should have stepped up and done the right thing for our community, but they didn’t. Why not?

Jenna Phillips

Cranston

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  • ronruggieri

    I can imagine one of my favorite fantasy/horror fiction writers, Ray Bradbury, smiling at Jenna Phillips' letter here expressing Bradbury's own public library supporting spirit. He would make those four council members ride on that strange Ferris Wheel in " Dark Carnival ". They might recover the sanity and sensitivity of YOUTH.

    Saturday, January 30, 2016 Report this