Opinion

A More Realistic Perspective – If We Vote Yes on Article #2

| Yvette Knight |

Much information has been given to us regarding the library article and what will happen if we vote NO on Tuesday.  So, what will a YES vote really mean?  It’s much more than the library remaining open.  Don’t be fooled into thinking it will be the same.  The reality is the hours will still be reduced (maybe the ones you find most convenient).  That means reduced resources (computer time may be less because there is always someone waiting for the next opening), reduced community time, and reduced programming.

All of these reductions will be further affected by the huge work load for the head librarian and volunteers due to what will certainly be the absence of an assistant librarian (who would stay on a job where you’re not valued by your employer and after more than a decade, find you no longer have benefits?).  Of course(?), a job search will begin, but what qualified person would accept the conditions:  30 hrs., no benefits and, obviously, the little respect that goes with this position?  Perhaps the selectmen will then assume the position is no longer needed. Would the money for that position go for other library needs?

The library will then be burdened with a very low budget figure, lots of extra work without enough hours to get it done and, worst of all, the expectation that the low budget figure of this fiscal year was good enough and will be good enough next year and the next….  Also there will be the assumption that, if pushed hard enough, the citizens eventually can be coerced and give up.  A YES vote will only wind up pushing the library into a big hole from which it will not recover for the foreseeable future, if at all! 

What will it take for the library to be valued, respected (along with its librarians, volunteers and patrons), seen for the immense community resource that we know it is, and properly funded?  Another NO vote is the next step!  Please take that step on Tuesday for the whole town and especially for the young children (future voters) who wrote those letters at the beginning of the budget process, believing their voices would be heard!

Thank you for your attention and consideration of this alternate view.  I love our library and town and hope it means as much to you!  There are those who are voting YES with the thought that they are working within the system to change things for the better, however, voting is part of the system.  Please be heard – look to the future – please vote NO!

Yvette Knight
(former trustee, Friend, volunteer and patron for 39 years)