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Opposition to library expansion puzzling to reader

I find it hard to believe that some people in this town are against a library expansion.

Dear Editor:

I find it hard to believe that some people in this town are against a library expansion. My family has used many of the Rimbey Municipal Library’s wonderful programs since we moved to here eight years ago. Our children have attended Story Time, Movie Night, Pizza and Board Games Night, holiday themed parties, science experiments, magicians, storytellers and the Summer Reading Program to name a few. They have made friends, became better readers, gained valuable knowledge and most importantly, gained self-confidence —all thanks in part to the Rimbey library. Furthermore, I have never abused the library by using it as a form of child care. For most programs, the library sets an age limit for children to participate unattended and I believe most parents abide by these restrictions.

If you have ever been in the library when programming is taking place, you will no doubt have noticed it is very crowded. Kids and adults are often sitting on the floor to watch movies or crammed in to listen to a story. Also, there are sometimes children with no room at the craft table. As Rimbey continues to grow, this will become even more of a problem. However, expanding the library will not only benefit our children, but us all. I have often had to order books from other libraries and be put on a long waiting list because our library simply does not have the shelf space. Plus, adult programing such as computer training and book clubs will be able to accept more participants. A bigger library equals more space and more books — simple. I just don’t see how this could be negative.

With no indoor pool, movie theatre or indoor playground, the library fills a need in Rimbey. Kids with nothing to do will find their own ways to occupy themselves, which often can be counterproductive. I would rather my children be at the library learning, becoming better readers and playing board games with their friends than at home playing video games or hanging around town getting into trouble.

As far as tax dollars are concerned, I don’t believe the programming is a strain. Some of the programs, such as Pizza and Board Game Night, charge a small fee. Others, like Movie Night and the Summer Reading Program, are sponsored by generous companies. Furthermore, if the library were to move to the old Fields location in the Co-op, it would cost taxpayers $60,000 per year to rent the space. However, by moving the town office to the Provincial Building, it will cost taxpayers just over half that amount. This to me is a no-brainer.

I would like to thank the staff and volunteers at the Rimbey Municipal Library for all they do. They put a tremendous amount of time and effort into each and every program they offer. Talk to any teacher and they will tell you reading is the most valuable skill a child learns, as a child that reads well will do better in school in general. Plus, it is proven that children who attend the Summer Reading Program will be better readers than children who do not.

The library is the hub of learning in our town, where children and adults alike gather to expand their minds. Let’s get behind our library and give them support for this overdue and necessary expansion, as it will benefit our entire town.

Natalie Evans