I’m writing because I heard that Anderson Public Library is considering discontinuing the school bookmobile. [The APL board voted Tuesday to end bookmobile service to schools in January.] I cannot believe the responsible people who run the library would even consider such a ridiculous idea. The core mission of the library is early literacy. Why, then, would they take away one of the things that promotes this idea? There are children in Anderson who probably are not aware that there is a library downtown. All they see is the bookmobile at their schools. Don’t the children have enough to deal with; seeing their schools being closed and their friends shuffled around, without also losing one of their favorite things about school?
If, in fact, the library is interested in early literacy, why do they spend so much money on video games and DVDs? I don’t think their core mission is the promotion of games and movies. Could they not spend a little less on the latest slasher movies and Pokemon games and put the money to better use by saving the bookmobile? Surely, somewhere in their budget they must be able to find funds to keep this very important asset to the community in operation. It pains me to think that this institution of Anderson schools might be discontinued, without giving any thought as to how it could be saved.
To the library board members, I’m asking that you please figure out a way to save the bookmobile. The children of Anderson will be eternally grateful. After all, isn’t that what the library is supposed to be about? Not videos, not games, but educating children.
Barbara Brooks
Anderson
