To the editor and my fellow Lynnfield residents:
I am writing this letter in support of the new Lynnfield library project that will be an article on the warrant at Town Meeting this Oct. 16. My support for this project comes from two perspectives: first, as a person who has volunteered at and taught classes at the library and second, as a parent and resident in the town.
As a volunteer during a recent book sale setup and while teaching early childhood STEM classes at the library, I regularly have noticed the need for more space.
During a recent volunteer experience helping set up for the Friends of Lynnfield Library book sale, several personnel commented on recent flooding and the challenges of storing the books for sale, housing the current inventory library patrons borrow, etc. I could see this myself with my own eyes as I squeezed into the boiler room with other volunteers.
Additionally, during the classes I taught, I could clearly see the limitations imposed by the absence of physical space. Patrons looking for children’s books were navigating around my (small) classes of eight or so young children in order to select books while programming was happening. In an ideal world, vibrant programming for patrons young and old should be able to happen consecutively so that the building is able to serve as many community members as possible.
As a mom and a patron of the library myself (shoutout to Ms. Decker, who helps me track down obscure children’s books I use with my college students and during my classes!), I can also imagine exactly what the library COULD be for the community: a larger workspace for students, a meeting space for community groups, a quiet adult reading space — to me, a building that serves the community the way the library does should have these as a bare minimum.
But a library can be SO much more — a space for creatives of all ages to meet and work; a setting in which innovative programming can be offered; a space for children to study and socialize; and so much more.
I am not blind to the cost associated with this project. But I think there is so much that this building could be to so many people, not the least of which is an indication of the fact that our community has stood and will continue to stand behind community-betterment projects.
This particular one is multigenerational and benefits everyone, and I urge people to join me in supporting this project with a “yes” vote at Town Meeting on Oct. 16.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter!
Sincerely,
Kathryn Price
Lynnfield
