Lineup of people waiting to get into main branch library is almost an everyday occurrence, indicating high demand for library services. Library's Secret Weapon:
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One of the best tests of a useful public service, and one the public will support, is how many people use that service.
The Bay County Library System is a good example. Drive by the new main library of a morning and most times you'll see a lineup of people waiting to get in.
That's right, a lineup! That indicates real demand and a service that people want and are willing to pay for.
I will not be an apologist for political mistakes that have plagued the library but I believe most people in this community have already decided to support the library and deal with politics all in good time. It's the only reasonable thing to do.
The frustration with politics is understandable, but it would only be self-defeating to close the doors, or restrict the hours, of the library. Who really gets punished by that? Not the politicians!
Those who would be punished are:
The public.
The vast numbers of students who use library facilities.
The many low and moderate income literate folks who can't afford a computer but who want to participate in this great American society.
The numerous ordinary everyday citizens, like those lined up at the door every day, who use the library as often as needed and who would feel a deep wound if the service were to be restricted because of temporary political arguments.
Those are the folks in those lines every morning, folks trying to pull themselves up by their bootstraps with self-education via computers and the world wide web, the most wonderful tool ever invented since the book.
Why do we have lots of libraries in Bay County: Pinconning, Auburn, South End, Sage, Main Branch? Because this is a thinking town, and because of our heritage. This is where the small book collection of merchant Aaron Cooke grew and was taken over by industrialist William Clements and today is one of the nation's premier libraries of American history, the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
We have spoken to the issue of naming the main library after the generous donors, Alice and Jack Wirt. What most people don't know is that Jack Wirt's first enterprise in Bay City was that of running a lending library before we had adequate library service.
The naming of a public building is mainly in recognition of service provided the community, be it a city, a college, university, state, etc. We don't look at this naming as a quid pro quo for a donation, and we don't think the Wirts would think of it as such, either.
Saginaw Valley State University has buildings named after Midland industrialists Ted Doan, civic leader Charlie Curtiss, state representative Jim O'Neil, even a former SVSU president, Jack Ryder. How about Engel Stadium, Ankney Auditorium at Garber High? All those folks didn't give all the money for the buildings or facilities that bear their names, did they?
As in these cases, the Wirts deserve community recognition for the services, the inspiration, the leadership, they provided. It the case of the Wirts there have been many services, to the United Way, to Delta College, to churches, fund drives for public buildings like hospitals and numerous other causes. Even if they didn't give a dime, they deserve the credit.
So, please, let's think big on Tuesday. Let's all get out and vote for outselves. We do care about our community, and that's what puts Bay City tops among communities as a place to live and thrive.
I'm confident the people who use, and treasure, the library service will get out and vote "yes."###
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Dave Rogers |
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