Public Library Funds
Dear Editor: After years of planning, fund-raising, construction and thousands of hours of paid and unpaid labor, the Sitka Public Library stands close to achieving its goal of being completely operational in its new home. However, there is still a list of projects that need to be finished up, and the money to finish those projects is still available in the library expansion project’s capital fund, but it may not be for much longer.
The city is expected to ask the Assembly at the Dec. 12 meeting to consider the project ‘‘closed,’’ thereby allowing the thousands of dollars remaining in the library’s fund to be disbursed however the Assembly chooses. Both the Friends of the Library and the Library Commission are on record as supporting a vote in favor of keeping the project open, to allow for the library expansion project to be fully and properly completed.
The community of Sitka has repeatedly shown its support and need for the critical services provided by Sitka Public Library, services which provide information and access which are the foundation of a democratic society. Let us hope that the Assembly will honor that need by voting on Tuesday to keep the library expansion project fund OPEN.
Speaking as a private citizen, I encourage you to let your Assembly members know how you feel. Thank you.
Darryl Rehkopf, Sitka
