Library supporters urged to attend meeting

To The Eagle:

On Monday, November 1, supporters of Cathlamet Library will meet with Wahkiakum Board of County Commissioners, at 3 p.m., to request reinstatement of funding for the county’s public library in the form of $3000 for 2011.

Wahkiakum County provided financial support for the library for over 15-years, until 2008. Rationale for the request includes the fact that over 60 percent of the library’s card holders do not live in Cathlamet town limits and pay taxes to support the library. Support of $3000 represents less than 10 percent of the library’s annual budget. Also, we understand that the Cumulative Reserve Interlocal #117, from which previous library support has come, has a current balance of over $16,000.

In addition to providing books and movies that improve the quality of life for local citizens, the library also supports the local schools and early literacy, provides computer and Internet access for those who cannot afford computers at home and assists job seekers.

To quote Michael Powell of Powell's Books, "The library is democracy's best kept promise. It is the promise that knowledge and information are free and accessible to all."

We encourage anyone who supports Mr. Powell's sentiment to attend the November 1 meeting.

Toni Hardy

Acting Chair,

Library Board and

Connie Christopher

Librarian