Letter: Supports new library

I’m going to vote yes on April 1 for the Hudson Area Joint Library referendum. We have a rare opportunity to move forward as a community, and I hope that you will join me. Here are a few reasons why.

There are some who say, “What’s wrong with the library we have?” Well, it’s crowded, and it will not support the number of books, DVDs, CDs and other items that our residents need. It is not accessible to those with disabilities. It has no space for public meetings or areas where you can just sit back and enjoy a good book. There is no room for more computers although the demand for them is large.

I believe we need a new library. Next, there are those who say we can’t afford it. Like you, I don’t want to pay more taxes or have my money spent foolishly. And is there ever really a good time to pay more for infrastructure decisions that can be pushed on to the next generation?

Yes, the time is now. Why? Because we can buy an existing well-constructed building that overlooks the St. Croix River, fits our needs perfectly and is $3 million less than building a new facility. Why? Because if you vote yes the Hudson Area Library Foundation will use their connections and time to privately raise half of the total cost. Wouldn’t you like to be able to say to our kids, “Building for the future is something that starts today?”

I live in the town of Troy, and I use both River Falls and Hudson libraries. We are being asked to make a small contribution to the purchase of a new facility that will greatly enrich our entire area. I believe this is an excellent investment.

Tags: opinion, hudson, lettertoeditor, library