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The Center of More Activities

Much as I love the current library, it truly is too small for our town's current needs, let alone our future needs, and there are just too many issues with renovating the building, even if the church gave permission. I won't deny that it will be sad to move from this beautiful historic building, but a move to North Quarter Park will allow us to design something that not only gives access to and better fulfills the needs of all our residents, but puts us in the center of more activities. We need to let go of what we have always had and think of the needs of the town first. If those needs cannot be met in the current building, and I believe they cannot, then it's time to build a new library that will meet them.

The thought of moving out of our gorgeous stone building was initially shocking. Now that I've thought about it, however, I'm excited about it. I love the idea of having the park around us. I think that more residents will use both park and library: Borrow a book and go for a stroll. Let the kids burn off some energy and then enjoy a quiet hour at the library. It just feels like such a perfect place for a library.

The most exciting thing about moving to North Quarter Park is that we would have the space to offer so many more programs to area residents, and they can all be held at the library, instead of scrounging around for large enough space elsewhere in town. With the park right there, we can even do outdoor programs, perhaps in partnership with Parks & Rec. The library will be what libraries should be-a central gathering place for the town.

Lisa TollefsonChester