LIBRARIES: Cities should reclaim them

As to libraries, has Ms. Ottosen heard of separation of church and state? The library falls under government. I understand that a majority of voters made their wishes known to her that the library system should stay as it is, open on Sundays and keeping all programs. Leaving the American Library Association which gives support to small communities and upholds the First Amendment is a gigantic mistake.

What happens when we elect people who have no idea how government operates? Not everyone holds the Sabbath on Sunday. Some religions hold it on another day. Are they to be dismissed? Are working parents to be denied the library on Sundays? The library is supposed to be a service to all citizens. Some people do not follow a religion. Are they to be prohibited from using the library on Sunday?

The Inlander ran a story about citizens’ groups. A group was formed to decide whether to go ahead with a nuclear project. Only three of them knew anything about nuclear energy and only one could ask an intelligent question. They advised the state of Washington to go ahead with WWPPS, which was a huge mistake and ended up costing Washington millions. It was called ‘whoops’ and it certainly was just that. I think the library and NIC are now in ‘whoops’ situations.

The library is for everyone. The solution is for the cities to reclaim the libraries.

DONNA HARVEY

Hayden