Dear Editor,
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to share my concern about the recent closure of the Feleti Barstow Public Library in Utulei on Saturdays.
Last weekend, I took my kids to the library for some research and reading, but to our disappointment we found its gates closed. Saturdays are the best days we can visit due to our busy weekday schedules, and I am sure many would agree. It isn’t easy to commute from the west side to the library, especially for students who rely on public transportation.
As a student in my younger years, I relied greatly on the resources that were available at the public library. We were encouraged by the teachers to utilize these sources, instead of being dependent on the internet, which was very scarce at the time. Nowadays, information is readily available at your fingertips, but at what cost? I have always encouraged my children to put down their tablets and get out there to experience the world.
I understand that things change and there are other factors that may have contributed to this decision, like maybe budget constraints or staffing; but we shouldn’t use this as an excuse. Last I heard, the director is a Seventh Day Adventist. While I respect religious observances, we have to compromise and find alternative solutions that will not limit the students. Many families and students depend on the library for resources, and having it closed on Saturday’s impacts their success in the future. We need to ensure that our children have access to knowledge and we need to create these opportunities to the next generation.
So I urge that we reconsider opening the library on Saturdays, and I believe it would greatly benefit our community. Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
Concerned Parent
