To the editor:
After reading in last week’s Pioneer Times that Ludlow had failed to pass funding to the Cary Library during its annual budget meeting, I immediately thought of one of my favorite books of last year, Susan Orlean’s “The Library Book.”
While Orlean’s book centers around the Los Angeles public library, it also dives into the historical and current role of libraries within communities. On a local level, our Cary Library responds to the needs of this community by providing a variety of children’s activities, literacy services, tutoring, public discussions of streamed Maine Humanities Council talks, computer access and more. Most importantly, the library staff is dedicated and caring.
I have several personal examples of the staff’s dedication but there is one that means a lot. About a month into the stay-at-home period of the pandemic, I received a handwritten letter from Cary Library staff. The letter was a personal way for them to reach out to their patrons to check in and let us know that even though the library was closed, staff was still there in case the community needed them.
Did I mention that it was a handwritten letter?
I encourage those Ludlow residents who voted against appropriation to call the library, talk to a staff person or make an appointment to go in and learn all that your library has to offer to all residents of this community.
Angie Wotton
Hammond
