On Friday, June 26 a group of passionate library supporters rallied at the State Capitol itoo urge the legislature to restore funding for libraries. Several Friends of the Library members spoke eloquently about their love for libraries, including Laura Oliver and Mary Pat Martin (pictured). Tom Dillard, a former Friends president, agreed to have the text of his remarks shared here.
Let Our Libraries Live
Tom Dillard
The proposed cuts in the state budget will severely injure most and eliminate many library budgets. Therefore our message to the state government is Let Our Libraries Live, all 251 of them.
Let our libraries continue to work as they:
• Help citizens look up job opportunities in their community
• Help citizens apply for jobs
• Help citizens fill out resumes
• Help citizens prepare for civil service exams
Let our libraries continue to teach as they:
• Provide summer reading programs for children to keep their skills high
• Provide after school programs
• Provide teachers with resources they need for the class room
• Help parents learn how best to care for their children
• Help families learn how to budget and make a dollar stretch
Let our libraries continue to help communities build as they:
• Provide meeting space for community meetings and events
• Provide information about opportunities for communities to improve and grow
• Provide resources about various interests in the communities that can improve their lot
Let our libraries continue to serve the citizens of their community as they:
• Provide information, computers and support to all who ask
• Provide links to the world and the future through doing research and information
• Provide help to people solving problems they face
Let our libraries continue to inspire as they:
• Share the vast literary resources with the community
• Provide the tools and resources needed to help our citizens imagine, build and live their dreams
• Provide the support needed for citizens to enrich their lives and the lives of the community
Let our libraries breathe the breath of knowledge, information and hope needed for our citizens to realize life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Let our libraries work
Let our libraries teach
Let our libraries build
Let our libraries serve
Let our libraries inspire
Let our libraries breathe
Let our libraries live – with full funding.