There has been talk about the Southeast Region Public Library closing in Garner to meet budget cuts. When I heard that, I felt like there had been a death in the family. Public libraries are the very foundation of our communities. I understand that the money must come from somewhere, but surely there is another way to address budget cuts than closing a library that is so well used that there are often no parking spaces available outside its doors. This is not a building that sits empty.

The very first thing I have done every time I have moved to a new town is to get a library card. I have depended on the library for information, friendship, keeping me current with authors, technology – and even my neighbors. All that knowledge is sitting there waiting for us – at no cost to the library patron. When I moved to this area I lived with my sister in Garner until my husband and I could find jobs and get settled. I went to the Southeast Region Library every day to use the computers there to look for work. What an incredible tool to help those who might otherwise have no access to computers. I was amazed at how many computers were available and even more amazed that there was always a line of people waiting their turn to use them.

Whatever needs to be done to save this resource in our community, let’s do it. Without a library in our community we will quickly see how much it will cost us. It is a loss we cannot afford.