To the Editor:

Mayor Mike Skelly recently posted an OP-ed suggesting the citizens of Ogdensburg vote against funding for the Ogdensburg Public Library, suggesting that supporting funding for this institution would be "kick the can down the road to future generations".

I write mine as a citizen of Ogdensburg who has utilized the services of this venerable institution for over 40 years, imploring my fellow citizens to vote YES! Our library is more than a repository for books, our librarians do far more than suggest best sellers and the future and current generations would be losing far more than paperbacks and periodicals if we sacrifice more funding.

What the mayor fails to see are the hundreds of residents with no access to high speed internet who utilize the library to look for work, access their email and learn internet skills that enable them to access information that otherwise would be unavailable to them. DVDs are available on a wide range of subjects from family movies to educational documentaries for those that cannot afford the steep prices that Spectrum charges. Newspapers and periodicals are available to assist in their search for housing and work or just to catch up on local news.

Many people who go to the library do so because its their social outlet, they have built safe, healthy relationships with staff and other patrons.

Books are not the only items available to sign out at our library, many may be unaware of this. There are also classes offered and I've seen people meeting with case workers and service providers as well. This provides a safe environment for both parties.

When I was employed for the Office of Mental Health locally we would bring a group of people into the community weekly and the Ogdensburg Public Library was one of our many stops for people so they knew where to go for information and social integration. We were always welcomed warmly and our folks felt comfortable going there independently upon discharge.

The library is an asset this community cannot afford to lose and I hope that not only will people choose to vote yes, but they will make an effort to go to the library and see the beauty and history of the building, get to know the dedicated and hard working staff and take an interest in all that is available. Educate yourself about all the services they provide, check out their webpage. Don't listen to one man's narrow narrative, who is admittedly not very well read. There is so very much more to our library than books!

Please visit the Ogdensburg Public Library in the next few days before you make your decision! This shouldn't be about drawing a line in the sand, but about ensuring that this generation and future generations all have access to everything this wonderful institution has to offer! I will be voting yes!

Regina Shoen
Ogdensburg