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News Archive
________________________________________________4.8.2010
Letter to the Editor
South Boston Tribune
To the Editor,
On April 9th, the Trustees of the Boston Public Libraries will vote to close as many as 10 libraries in Boston neighborhoods including two in the 4th Suffolk district - the South Boston and Washington Village branches. While city officials claim the library closings are essential to close a $3.6 million budget shortfall, they are not taking into account the social cost of closing our neighborhood libraries.
The South Boston and Washington Village branches should not be closed, but revamped and revitalized, especially in a recession when people require free public services even more. In an effort to support their decision to close certain branches, the City of Boston has disclosed data on library traffic, accessibility, and technology feasibility. The study states that improving technology in our neighborhood branches is “difficult.” This data should not be used to determine which libraries should be closed, but rather which libraries should be updated to make them more user friendly so that families spend more time there. Educational services for our families and youth must be recession-proof. It is unconscionable that Mayor Menino would consider closing a library located in public housing, where children from poor, non-English speaking families need access to a library the most.
Closing libraries in our neighborhood is a short-sighted decision that will have negative effects on our neighborhood for years. Seniors and community groups utilize meeting rooms in libraries. Substance abuse support groups meet at the library to research GED programs and search for jobs. Libraries are a vital part of the community.
My number one priority as State Representative will be to improve education in our neighborhood. I will fight to make sure that our classrooms are adequately funded and that families have an excellent choice of schools in their neighborhood, so that we can prepare our children for a global economy. I will also support educational programming, at libraries and after-school programs, that keep our children engaged in positive activities and away from the streets. Closing libraries is not an option.
Sincerely,
Mike McGee
Committee to Elect Michael McGee
PO Box 52376
Boston, MA 02205
(617)752-1832