Pike County Library needs a yes vote

One of the first things that we did when we moved to Pike County was to check out the library in Piketon. The library is a marvelous, wonderful place, filled with books (fiction, non-fiction, children’s and all kinds of books), magazines, newspapers, computers, videos, CDs, a copy machine and much more.

There is always an interesting display in the glass case at the entrance — teapots and cups, old Christmas toys, dolls and many more displays. They also display the Dogwood Quilt for the festival.

The library aides always greet you with a smile and a hello. They will help anyone anyway they can. They can contact other libraries if there is a book not on the shelves and it will be delivered to Piketon for you to check out.

They provide lunches for the kids in the summer. Small children, teenagers, young adults, old adults, all ages enjoy the library in Piketon. If you have never been to the library, do stop in sometime and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Our purpose of this letter is to encourage people to vote “yes” on the tax levy in November for the libraries. Your vote will help save our libraries. With no library, many people will not have access to books, magazines, newspapers, movies or computers.

Remember, vote “yes” on the tax levy to support our libraries.

Pat and Suellen Slagle

Piketon

The Garnet A. Wilson Pike County Public Library is a valuable resource for all residents of Pike County. Due to the economic downturn, the public’s demand for Internet access, copy services, job-related materials, and the expertise of the staff, etc. has increased at a time when resources from the state of Ohio are decreasing.

As a businessman with a strong “bottom-line” orientation, I recognize that cash flow/income at the library must equal or exceed the expenses associated with the services that the public expects. I have historically not “been a fan” of tax increases. However, in this case I am making an exception.

At this most difficult time for our community, it is critically important that each of us recognize the multiplier effect of an additional $30 on our taxes being received by the library. A vibrant, adequately funded library is the center of our community. The funds collected from this levy are expected to cover much of the amount that has been lost in state of Ohio resources.

The quality of our community is diminished with an inadequately funded library. Rather than contemplate the alternative, 1 trust our citizens to affirmatively come through and provide the shot in the arm, enabling the library to perform its needed functions. On Nov. 3, 2009, please vote “yes” on the library levy. You will be glad that you did.

David M. Manta, Ph.D., FAIC

President

Manuta Chemical Consulting Inc.

Waverly