From Marcia Fulton
Creston
You can want the current library to move to the Lincoln school site or desire it to stay at its current site. That is a preference, but to attack the volunteers who serve on the Library Board, the non-paid appointed board members who give countless hours to serve this community, is wrong. I don’t know all the board members, but I know some, and they are kind, caring citizens who give up family time and, at their own expense, visit libraries in the surrounding areas, seeking ideas and talking to those staff members to try to find what would best work in our community. Some of the editorial posts have been really nasty. Maybe that is why folks are reluctant to serve on community boards.
The days of libraries being the “check out a book” site is probably minimal. Today’s libraries are wired to incorporate the newest technology, efficient heat and cooling climate, spacious layout and use of space to allow both working noise and quiet zones. The layout is designed to be able to combine the needs and interests of several areas of the community including young children, teens, young adults, computer lab, research area and comfortable lounge areas with newspapers and current magazines for adults. Have you had an opportunity to visit a modern library? If not, check out one of the following: Red Oak, Stanton, Shenandoah or Winterset.
When I first visited a Colorado library with my grandsons, I was amazed at what it had to offer. The class for the young child area was glassed off so their little voices were not disturbing as they did a projects class with the staff. My daughter-in-law headed one direction to find a book, and I found a nice couch and caught up on current news in the Denver Post. What a lovely experience. As we were leaving, we noticed an art show being held in one of the rooms with the local artist discussing his work. They had a room for the community to hold meetings and regularly scheduled events and speakers were posted.
I am sure that when the new high, middle and elementary schools were being planned, there were many who thought “what is wrong with the old schools.” I have heard that same statement about the additions to the hospital and those involved tax money. I also remember the controversy over the skate park, and I heard that the lowana was impossible to restore. Today it is so nice to drive past any of these, and I am sure realtors talk about these amenities as they sell homes. Change is sometimes hard. But now that we have top of the line schools, hospital complex, the restored hotel and a skate park for the teens, I don’t hear as much “longing for the old buildings.” Let’s give our community a chance to raise the money to get the grants. They just might succeed.