Dear Editor: More attention needs to be paid, to my thinking, of the value of libraries and the hard hits they are getting from the current U.S. administration. Thanks to the Sitka Public Library, I came across ‘‘The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians,’’ by James Patterson, copyright 2024. I will share a few of the quotes that impressed me and I hope you as well.
“Having a good library is not political. A good library will have books on vegetarianism and on hunting. A good library will have books on every religion. A good library will have books on all eras of history, from ancient Rome to the Civil War, to the Holocaust. A good library will have books about different countries, different cultures, and different life experiences.” By Carolyn Foote from Texas.
“Libraries level the playing field. They’re free and open to the public. All are welcome. Our doors are open. Come in and learn to be your best self. Follow your dreams and reach your true potential. Let your reach exceed your grasp. Whatever book you want to read, its free on the honor system. It is hard to imagine anywhere else in our society so devoted to the concept of everyone being completely equal.” By Bill Kelly from Ohio.
From anonymous: “Nobody is trying to sell anything, products or attempts to get people to join a current movement, connected with any of the information, as is done on the internet. No links to click on to sign up, create an account, or donate to anyone or anything.”
Jeff Budd, Sitka
