Bethlehem (PA) High School Senior Speaks Up for Libraries

Bethlehem Area Public Library

Link to November 8 letter to The Morning Call, "First teachers, now libraries. Where will budget ax fall next?"

Excerpt: It was once said by the late American scholar Archibald MacLeish, ''What is more important in a library than anything else -- than everything else -- is the fact that it exists.''

Public libraries have always been a treasure to many people, providing a way of reading and research for all communities and for all who have a thirst for learning.

Even though libraries have not always been so popular, it seems as though more and more people are dependent on them due to the downfall of the economy.

Think about it. Libraries not only provide reading sources, but many other important services as well -- such as story hours for preschoolers, book clubs, assistance with research for those in high school and college, free videos for those who can't afford the cost of movie rentals at Blockbuster and even books on tape for those who are visually impaired.

Just as MacLeish states, libraries should always exist, for all those reasons.

But for some local residents, this will all change.