An informed, educated citizenry is vital to Warwick's future

To the editor: We would like to respond to a letter to the editor in the April 26, 2006, edition of the Warwick Valley Dispatch: “A Large Commercial Bookstore would be Better than a New Library.” A bookstore is not an alternative to a public library. A public library is a community’s cultural and educational center that offers so much more to the people of Warwick than the opportunity to purchase a book. A library allows everyone, from early stages of childhood to advanced age regardless of their financial situation, access to important information resources that will enrich their lives. As such it is the sole institution in this community and this country that actively supports the ideal that an informed and educated citizenry is vital to a thriving and relevant democracy. Public libraries nurture and sustain citizens, not customers. More importantly a public library is the community’s guardian of its shared history, and its resources are broader and deeper than the current whims of the popular marketplace. Public libraries are a legacy to each generation offering the heritage of the past as well as the promise of a hopeful future. The loss or diminishment of a library’s role in the community is no less than a loss of that record of the community’s history, politics, people, events and character and an abandonment of hope for the future. Yes, an expanded library would provide access to more books for the community, but so much more. It would provide space for public programs and meetings, quiet reading areas as well as space for group study, equal and expanded access to computer resources, room for children’s programming that fosters literacy skills from an early age, and access to disabled members of our community. An expanded new library, would be a gathering spot for all residents of Warwick who value the opportunity to step outside the confines of their own homes and interact with others over issues and ideas that are important to them. Situating a library in a park, so close to our downtown would enable people to enjoy the beauty of that setting from a comfortable and protected public space as well as encouraging traffic to our town’s commercial center. While information is available through our public school libraries, that information is limited to curriculum support and not the vast array of resources that the needs of our growing and diverse community require. Warwick is fortunate to be the home of Orange County’s only independent bookseller, as well as a used book store/café. Local businesses are integral to healthy neighborhoods, strong town centers and help create a distinct local identity. Conversely large corporate chains contribute to the homogenization of our towns and villages. Our local bookstore is more in touch with the reading interests of our local community and actively responds to those needs. Chain bookstores are driven by commercial interests that benefit from promoting material that reflect the commercial interest of large publishers not necessarily the local community’s desire for reading material. Over the last decade 45 percent of independent booksellers have been forced to close their doors leaving a huge void in the quality and diversity of materials that are available. Our local bookstore features the work of local authors and publishers and supports the work of the library in the community. A chain bookstore contributes on average 13 cents to every dollar to its local economy. A local business returns 45 cents to every dollar with a multiplier of three to five times, thereby ensuring more money is kept in our town. Local businesses are the active and dedicated champions of our schools, libraries, sports and civic organizations. They do not see this support solely as a way to generate more sales and income, but as an investment in the health and vitality of their community. Unlike chain bookstores, our local bookstore does not attach support of our library to sales of books from its store. People have chosen Warwick as their home for centuries because of an appreciation of its individual charm, character and integrity. It is the responsibility of every community member to insure these things remain at the center of our life together. The Warwick Independent Business Alliance is committed to raising citizen consciousness about the effects of where they spend their money and uniting people across the political and economic spectrum to support their communities. Our local businesses and the Albert Wisner Public Library are proud of their cooperative goals of ensuring the quality and character of the community. To find out more about each please check out www.warwick.iba.org, or www.albertwisnerlibrary.org. Remember an informed, and educated citizenry is vital to Warwick’s future. Rosemary Cooper Albert Wisner Library Director Deborah Blomfield Co-Chair, Warwick Independent Business Alliance