August 26, 2011
To Whom It May Concern:
When you arrive at the London Public Library’s website, you can watch a beautiful three minute video about how great the library is to the citizens of London. This only increases my disappointed towards the City of London and the London Public Library, and their decision to close the Glanworth Branch of the library system.
I had the extreme pleasure of growing up in Glanworth - a beautiful community that was annexed into the city almost 20 years ago. The library was a source of many of my favourite times as a child. I am a self-proclaimed book worm and believe that without access to the hundreds, if not thousands, of books that I was able to read as a child, teenager and adult, that I would be a completely different individual today.
Ninety nine years ago the community in Glanworth believed that a library was needed. Now the city of London has decided that we no longer need the “community hub that strengthens individuals, families and neighbourhoods by connecting them to people and to relevant information, collections, programs and resources” - as the London Public Library’s vision states.
The LPL asked for an increased budget of $728,000 this year - one third of which was needed to run the new and wonderful Stoney Creek branch in North London. At the time, the suggestions to save money included closing the Glanworth branch which only saves them $10,000 (approximately 4% of the cost of running the Stoney Creek branch).
While the community of Glanworth many not be as big - and therefore may not provide the cash that North London can provide - they are still a community in London. Tax payers in Glanworth pay the same taxes as everyone else in London, but time and time again are ignored by the city services.
For the first time in my life, I am ashamed - not only of the City of London, but of the London Public Library. To take away the library is to take away possibilities, information, education and opportunities from Londoners.
Sincerely,
Nadine
No comments:
Post a Comment