Wants to continue using EGV library

My wife and I are lifelong residents of Elk Grove Village. We both attended Stevenson Elementary, Mead Jr. High and Conant High School, residing with our respective parents during adolescence. Eleven years ago, we purchased a home within a mile of our respective childhood homes, confident in the decision that our children would be raised in a great community. We have two children, ages 11 and 9, both of whom are home-schooled by my wife.

I am writing because I was recently made aware of the decision by the Schaumburg Library to cease making payments to Elk Grove Village for the residents who live west of Rohlwing Road that enjoy privileges at both libraries. The Schaumburg Library, which collects Schaumburg Library taxes for these residents and promised — since 1983 — to pay 50 percent to the Elk Grove Library to allow these residents access to Elk Grove’s library, unilaterally decided not to renew this agreement with the Elk Grove Library, citing financial difficulties.

Obviously, this news is detrimental to many community members. Many of our friends and family who live in this section of Elk Grove Village rely on the strength of this institution to help provide educational and social opportunities to us. It hits my family even harder due to the fact that my wife and children utilize the EGVPL quite frequently as part of our home-school curriculum. While we will be able to continue to utilize EGVPL after May 1, our privileges will be drastically altered.

It is obvious that the current financial troubles of our country force public bodies to make difficult decisions. However, as taxpayers, we were not allowed to voice our opinions about this decision that negatively affects our lives. It seems like it is time to begin an Occupy the Library campaign. We implore to the public: Please help!

Cory Fosco

Elk Grove Village