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Make the
new library a dream come true
by Bob Dolphin and Steve Redding
October 8, 2006
Picture this. It is a snowy winter's day. You are
sitting cozily in a comfortable chair curled up with the latest book
from your favorite author, and a steaming cup of gourmet coffee in
the new Durango Public Library.
From
this cozy comfortable chair you have a great view of the Animas
River, and perhaps even the occasional bald eagle that frequents the
river banks. Though it is snowing, you braved the elements and
walked or biked the River Trail to get to the library.
Perhaps while you are a world away in your cozy chair, your children
are in another section of the new library perusing their interests
in books or engrossed in a story-time presentation. Your teenagers
might be meeting with friends in the young-adult section, studying,
or working at one of the many new computers available to them. These
children are the future leaders of this community, maybe even this
country, and the whole world is at their fingertips through books,
computers, CDs and downloadable electronic offerings including audio
books and publications.
Your
dream might be for your reading club, archaeological group, garden
club, or just a group of friends with a common interest to have
regular gatherings in the new Durango Public Library's meeting
rooms. Meeting in the library gives your group immediate access to
the latest publications, subscription databases or the Internet to
research your area of interest.
Booklovers will finally be able to choose from an extensive
collection fit for a growing community of our size, but there is
more to the library than just the written word. Having sufficient
space will also allow the library greater opportunity to offer
topical programs, author lectures, and classes on using the library
more effectively.
Maybe the history of the Southwest or the Durango area in particular
interests you most. Many interesting resources will await you in the
new Southwest History Collection including 125 years of The
Durango Herald , historical phone books, yearbooks, and
memorabilia, making the library another research stop along with the
Center of Southwest Studies, and the Animas Museum.
On a
warm sunny day you can take your latest book, newspaper, or magazine
to the outside reading deck, listen to the river, enjoy the
panoramic views, watch the world pass by on the river trail, or
admire the xeriscaping of the library grounds.
Leaving the library you decide to stop by the Friends of the Library
Store to check out its latest offerings. Now you don't have to wait
for the annual book sale, and the Friends will have a steady income
to support the library, and its ongoing activities.
These dreams can become reality. The residents of this community
have the opportunity of a lifetime to build a new state-of-the-art
library on the banks of the Animas River at the old Mercy Hospital
site. The best part is this modern library can be built with no new
taxes and without an increase in taxes.
In
2005, city voters already authorized the revenue stream to pay for
capital projects like the library. The only remaining step is for
voters to authorize the city of Durango to issue municipal bonds and
use the revenue stream to retire these bonds issued to build the new
Durango Public Library. The ballot for the November election is
extremely long. Please take the time to find Referred Measure 2A
near the end of the ballot and vote "yes!"
Then
the true work of building the new Durango Public Library can begin!
Vote "yes" and this dream can become a reality in 2008.
See
our Web site:
www.durangopubliclibrary.org for additional information.
Bob
Dolphin and Steve Redding are co-chairs of the Yes! for Durango
Library Bonds Committee. |
