Spring Break
Editorial: Additions to Charleston library are welcome changes
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: Opinions
A city's library is a vital component of any community.
A learning center for children and adults alike is something no community should neglect.
When a library is added to a community, it enriches it by encouraging knowledge and learning by which citizens can gain a better understanding of the world around them.
The Charleston Carnegie Public Library is no exception.
On Sunday, the newly added portions of the library were opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 150 people.
New additions such as new computers and "Kidzone" - a children's learning center that includes its own library as well as other children's activities - further encourage learning in all age groups.
According to Eric Huddlestun, president of the library's board of trustees, circulation is already up by about 3,000 per month.
Ten years after planning had begun, the city finally has the brand new library it deserves.
No town - certainly no college town - should ever have to suffer with a deteriorating, poorly kept library that hinders knowledge rather than encouraging and challenging it.
But the library does not just encourage academia.
It also helps to modernize an aging work force.
In Monday's edition of The Daily Eastern News, Dave Grovier said he lost his job and is taking classes at Lake Land College.
But the new library is a huge help for Grovier, who says the new computers help greatly with his online classes, allowing his reentry into the workforce and provide for his wife and son, who frequent the library nearly every day.
For others in the same situation as Grovier, the library is the best place to turn to better themselves both academically and professionally, ensuring one of society's greatest assets in a hard economy: job security.
Nowadays, no one can afford to compromise job security, but for many, the very notion may seem alien.
The library helps these people better themselves at any given aspect of their lives, ensuring a place in the workforce.
The city of Charleston should be commended for following through with the badly needed renovation of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library.
But it's the public's job to make sure the library stays in great shape.
If you want to enrich your knowledge, or if you just want some entertainment from a book, go support your local library.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
A learning center for children and adults alike is something no community should neglect.
When a library is added to a community, it enriches it by encouraging knowledge and learning by which citizens can gain a better understanding of the world around them.
The Charleston Carnegie Public Library is no exception.
On Sunday, the newly added portions of the library were opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 150 people.
New additions such as new computers and "Kidzone" - a children's learning center that includes its own library as well as other children's activities - further encourage learning in all age groups.
According to Eric Huddlestun, president of the library's board of trustees, circulation is already up by about 3,000 per month.
Ten years after planning had begun, the city finally has the brand new library it deserves.
No town - certainly no college town - should ever have to suffer with a deteriorating, poorly kept library that hinders knowledge rather than encouraging and challenging it.
But the library does not just encourage academia.
It also helps to modernize an aging work force.
In Monday's edition of The Daily Eastern News, Dave Grovier said he lost his job and is taking classes at Lake Land College.
But the new library is a huge help for Grovier, who says the new computers help greatly with his online classes, allowing his reentry into the workforce and provide for his wife and son, who frequent the library nearly every day.
For others in the same situation as Grovier, the library is the best place to turn to better themselves both academically and professionally, ensuring one of society's greatest assets in a hard economy: job security.
Nowadays, no one can afford to compromise job security, but for many, the very notion may seem alien.
The library helps these people better themselves at any given aspect of their lives, ensuring a place in the workforce.
The city of Charleston should be commended for following through with the badly needed renovation of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library.
But it's the public's job to make sure the library stays in great shape.
If you want to enrich your knowledge, or if you just want some entertainment from a book, go support your local library.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.
Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.
Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.
If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.
Be the first to comment on this story