Library as Community: Memories

      Do you remember your first experience at the Library? Or, were you so young that your first memory has fast faded from your mind? Instead, what you remember is that Libraries have always been part of your life. Think about that. They have always been part of your life! You take them for granted!

     Well, unfortunately, depending on your point of view, (or use of the Library), that privilege, luxury or necessity, could no longer be available to you. At least not as you know it today in Flagler County. No, I am not overreacting. Flagler County is facing major budget cuts. You heard about them last year and are hearing even more about them this year. As a matter of fact, some of those budget cuts already impacted the Library. Last year, the Palm Coast library closed its doors on Sunday. At the same time, Bunnell, a hard fought success when it finally opened, was cut from 5 days a week to 3. So, when you read in the papers that the Bunnell branch might close, it really isn’t a surprise. It is the smaller location, with fewer patrons and less circulation.

     How is it possible that the fastest growing County in the nation just a couple of years ago is now even considering is even discussing the possibility of cutting back on its Libraries? There is something wrong with this even faster growing scenario!

     What brought us to this point? Why should the Library, a center of the community, an essential meeting place that offers its services to everyone regardless of age, race, sex, belief and need be selected as a service that the County can do without?  As citizens of Flagler County, I encourage you to think about the Library. What does it mean to you? What has it given to you in the past; what do you expect for the future? Do your children use it? How about grandchildren? Do they use it for help with their homework? To select books that you can read to them? Have you needed to use the Library computers to fill out government forms, get directions, or respond to job opportunities? Perhaps you have friends or family, or even friends of family or other acquaintances who come to visit. They may not be County residents yet still use the Library to access the Internet, to attend book sales or programs. Maybe just to read a hometown newspaper. These are the things we encourage, these are the reasons the Library exists. We know it is a service the public enjoys and appreciates. It promotes our community! It showcases how our Library is part of the community. It is a point of pride for you to be able to bring your family and visitors to our Library. Yet, even if you aren’t a frequent user of the Library, what impact would it have on your home values if someone, a potential new citizen or even business, looked at our community profile and learned that we had NO public library? What would we have to offer that family or business? The Library helps make the community. The Library is the community. Please support us in keeping it as a part of our community!

     It is time to keep the Library alive and not just live in the memory of the Library! The memory alone means we are living in the past. We want to be part of the future! The future means voting to support your Library

     As President of the Friends of the Library and an officer of the Flagler County Library Referendum Committee, I encourage you familiarize yourself with this campaign. We need your support now and on Election Day 8/26/08! 

  Terry Jones

Details on Referendum in support of Library

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES