LIBRARIES: Get along for programs

Dear Board Members:

I have been a patron of the Hayden Library and the Coeur d’Alene Library for decades and have enjoyed the many services offered by both. Strong work! It is clear that the Boards can no longer coexist peacefully as has been reported in The Press, and articulated by Tom Hanley’s My Turn piece and the excellent letter recently published by Michelle Lippert.

I do not have a clear solution at hand for you all, however, I do have one request. Please get along enough to salvage the robust Interlibrary Loan program and the Libby Digital Library programs. These two offerings serve hundreds of your patrons on both sides of your philosophical divides and a discontinuation of these programs would severely limit access to books for many people. It seems to me that above all else we need to continue the tradition of open access to printed materials that was established in our country a long time ago. Please give it some consideration as you continue forward.

TONY KOCH

Hayden