Support our local libraries

Dear Editor,

After witnessing decisions made by lawmakers in our capitol building and in neighboring states, I cannot sit quietly by and wait until “this too shall pass.” In Carroll County, we’re blessed to have wonderful public libraries filled with the most amazing, hard-working staff members that any community should be proud to support. I live in Berryville so am speaking about my experiences at the Berryville Public Library.

If you’ve not been inside the library lately, you should visit and watch them in action. I cannot sing their praises enough. In addition to checking out books and audiobooks, my family has participated in the annual Summer Reading Programs, Toddler Storytime, Tween Book Club, Creation Station, Lego Club, Spring Break Camps, Lab Rats, STEAM activities, the family backpack program, coloring competitions, Take and Makes, and so many other programs over the last twenty years. We even checked out a telescope! Our son would not be the strong reader he is today without our public library.

We’re proud members of the Friends of the Berryville Library because our libraries need and deserve our support. We’ve eagerly joined hundreds of other community members to raise money to build a desperately needed new library and happily continue to do so, but they should also be fully funded for operations to help them continue to provide the services our communities need.

Albert Einstein said, “The only thing you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” I know public libraries touch so many parts of our community. Please make your voices heard. Share your positive library stories with local officials. We voted them in to serve us and our community, and they need to know how much we need, love, and support our local public libraries. Libraries change lives for the better. Thank you.

— Rebecca Jones