Libraries are a bargain

This letter is in response to the May 27 Fence Post opinion that libraries are obsolete, submitted by Doug Eden of St. Charles.

When I look at my tax bill, Mr. Eden, I see that my library receives 4.7 percent; fire department 6.14 percent; and public schools 65.2 percent. I ask, which one looks “bloated” to you? There is no other tax expense that even comes close to what I shell out each year for an educational system I don’t use. I’m a home educator, and I don’t receive any credit for the tax dollars I pay into the local school district.

Basically, my money is aiding in the education of someone else’s child. While I agree education is extremely important, one could argue as you similarly have (i.e., paying for what you use) that parents should be responsible for their child’s educational expenses, not their neighbors’. I would have no problems keeping the nearly $3,000 I pay annually into the local schools but gladly give our annual liability of $200 to my local library for my use of it. I could even quadruple that amount to the library and still come out ahead.

Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way. As you may have guessed, I use my local library quite extensively. I couldn’t disagree more with your opinion that libraries are obsolete. Not everything is available on the Internet, and much of what is there comes at a price. My local library naturally offers books and Internet access, but also children’s reading programs, movie showings, DVDs, music, study groups for teens, book clubs, computer literacy classes, career help for the unemployed, interlibrary loans, plus a host of other programs that benefit the entire community.

I’d say there’s a lot of bang for the buck where libraries are concerned. It’s one of the few places a financially strapped person can go without having to plunk down a wad of cash. The library is one of the most underused resources we have, and it’s truly a shame that more folks don’t avail themselves of the services offered there.

Since your tax obligations to the library aren’t going to go away, Mr. Eden, I humbly suggest that you go visit your local library, and see if you have a change of heart.

“The richest person in the world — in fact all the riches in the world — couldn’t provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library.” ~ Malcolm Forbes

Cheryl Flood

Island Lake