Liberty library deserves support

Posted 8/21/12

There have been many changes in society since 1894 when the Liberty Library first opened its doors. But people still read books, although increasing numbers of them do so by downloading ebooks and …

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Liberty library deserves support

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There have been many changes in society since 1894 when the Liberty Library first opened its doors. But people still read books, although increasing numbers of them do so by downloading ebooks and reading articles in online publications.

Like many libraries across the county, the Liberty Library has adjusted with the times. The library has an ebook program in which, with a library card, people can download all manner of books onto their laptops, tablets or other devices and read the material free of charge. Although a reader may have to wait a bit to download the latest best-sellers, the program is a popular one.

Another service is providing access to the Internet to residents who may have no other way of signing on. The library has six computer stations that are available for use by the public, and with a planned expansion in the works, that number would increase by two stations. Wi-Fi access would also be expanded through the installation of additional electrical outlets.

There are programs for children and seniors, audio books on CD, movies, and a press release from the library says “there is something for everyone.” To enable the library to offer more services, the board of trustees is seeking bonding in the amount of $1.9 million, which will be added to $627,000 in a fund made up of donations from sources such as the Friends of Liberty Library and Sen. John Bonacic.

The libary found its current home in 1966 on Main Street in the heart of the Village of Liberty near the elementary school. Now, plans to expand and upgrade this 50-year-old facility include making it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, by, among other things, adding an elevator and two new “fully accessible bathrooms,” which would be a big improvement over the single stall currently in use, serving the public not only at the library but during various activities at the nearby sports fields.

There will also be a three-level addition that will allow space for expanded meeting and learning rooms and more programming.

The voters of the Liberty Central School District will decide if this program will move forward through a referendum on August 9, from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. at the library. A press release from the library estimated the cost to taxpayers at “$13-16 a year per $100,000 of assessed property value.”

The cost seems very reasonable, considering all the value and services the library provides to the community while continuing to serve as a community center.

An overview of the project will be presented by the library’s architectural firm on August 2 at 6:30 p.m.

In this day and age, while newspapers may be seeing declines in circulations, consumption of the written word, whether through books, electronic works, or other media is not. By expanding its mission, the Liberty Library continues to be a vital part of the community, and we support its expansion.

Libba Bray, the New York Times best-selling author, said this about libraries: “The library card is a passport to wonders and miracles, glimpses into other lives, religions, experiences, the hopes and dreams and strivings of all human beings, and it is this passport that opens our eyes and hearts to the world beyond our front doors, that is one of our best hopes against tyranny, xenophobia, hopelessness, despair, anarchy, and ignorance.”

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