Appeal to voters

To The Editor:

The Waitsfield town office moving to a new location would allow the Joslin Memorial Library to expand into the space the town office is currently using. Successful 21st-century public libraries are constantly evolving to meet the informational and cultural needs of their communities. Significant ways the Joslin Memorial Library is doing this include technology offerings, programming and being a community space available and welcoming to people for a variety of activities. More space would greatly enhance all of these activities.

We would love to expand our services to have a teen space, invite classes from the local schools and preschools for programs of research, house materials from the Waitsfield Historical Society, display local art or writing and be more accessible to local groups needing space for community events. We want to be a space where concurrently patrons can chat about what they are reading, staff can offer reading suggestions or technology assistance, a library- or community-sponsored discussion can take place and other people can read quietly, do homework or research.

Despite its history of flooding, the space where the town office is now located could be used wisely and creatively to meet many of these needs. Books could be shelved a few feet off the floor and reading or computer tables or space for programming would be safe.

The Joslin Memorial Library board is appealing to voters to turn out and support this important town office bond vote since the $750,000 grant likely hangs in the balance. Thank you.

Trustees, Joslin Memorial Library
David Babic, Ken Felderman, Carol Hosford, Jean Joslin, Joyce Travers

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