LIBRARY: Fans, decline to sign

Since its opening in September 2007, the Coeur d’Alene Public Library has become an icon and “hub” of our community. More than 1,000 people a day continue to use the library to participate in free programs, hold meetings, check out books and entertainment, use the public computer terminals with free Internet access, research employment opportunities and participate in free computer literacy classes. All of these treasures are available to everyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie said, “A library is the most important thing a community can do for its people.” We finally have a library to be proud of… one that reflects on the quality of life in our community.

It could not have been built without the public/private partnership forged between the Library Foundation, the LCDC and the city of Coeur d’Alene — specifically Mayor Sandi Bloem, Mike Kennedy, Deanna Goodlander and Woody McEvers — the very people named in the misguided and draconian recall effort. Without their persistence and leadership, we would still be “in the dark ages.” Coincidentally, many of the very people who are ranting about recall are the same civic-minded folks who voted against building a new library. It seems they’d prefer to stay unenlightened and short-sighted, no matter how worthy the improvement to our community. I urge everyone who loves and supports and uses our Coeur d’Alene Public Library to JUST SAY NO TO THE RECALL!

RUTH PRATT, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation