LFNAC meeting July 23, 2007

http://www.shutesbury.org/sites/default/files/offices_committees/lfnac/Minutes%207_23_07LFNAC.pdf

Library Quotes

I love the Shutesbury Library we have, but it was built over 100 years ago for a town of 400. It’s time for a new one, and this vote is our best chance to make that happen.

    Julie Stepanek

 
There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.  ~Andrew Carnegie

  Constructive participation and the development of democracy depend on satisfactory education as well as on free and unlimited access to knowledge, thought, culture and information. The public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social goups. This Manifesto proclaims UNESCO's belief in the public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and as an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women.                                                                                                  UNESCO Library Manifesto

“The opportunity awaits every youth as well as individual of maturer years to enter through the medium of books, the companionship of men and women of letters, who have had at their disposal the wisdom of the ages. The unequalled privilege never possessed before by modern civilization should inspire as well as animate the masses of the people.
Respectfully submitted
Library board of trustees William H. Hemenway-Chair  March 20,1908

From the M. N. Spear Memorial Library
Building Program July 2009
"Any expansion of the library must match the unique character of Shutesbury, respect the town and library history, reflect the needs of the residents, and be mindful of the budgetary limitations of a small town."

Shutesbury is our town. A small town with a very engaged and interesting populace. Amherst, for all of its proximity, is not in fact our town. We don’t vote there, and can’t join in on town committees. I moved to this area from a city so I could take part in small town life. The place and the way for me to do this is through town life in Shutesbury.

Emily Bloch

"I thought it was silly to build a big library in such a little town. I was worried nobody would use it and it would just be a big waste of time and money. I really feel like I was proven wrong. The place seems to always be full of people and I feel like it’s added significantly to our community. The computers, WiFi, yoga classes, movies, talks, art exhibits, all of it has added to the richness of our town. Now I can't really remember it not being there."
         Donna Horn- Wendell artist

There are many things to love about life in Shutesbury, but one that comes up every time is… You guessed it - the library! Whether it’s here in Scotland, or in California or in Colorado or any of the many places we’ve spent time in during the last few years, nothing reminds me more acutely of how special our home is than stepping into what passes for libraries in other places. I find direct parallels between a region’s quality of life and the quality of their libraries.

 Think of the possibilities! Get excited about them! Though we’re an ocean away, that’s exactly what we’ve been doing as we dream of returning to Shutesbury and as we envision the future prosperity of the town.

-David Durham

Sometimes taxes pay for the greater good of the community and contribute to a responsible investment for generations to come. This kind of civic endeavor is part of what makes a town a real town.

Vote yes today to make a difference in the future history of Shutesbury. In 50 years, at the tri-centennial, the "new" library will be celebrated as a legacy of community pride.

Dave and Susie Mosher

#reclaimingmylivingroomshelfandlife

Finally going through my library files from 12 years as a trustee and my obsession with the library and town history. 

tarantella siciliana polka u puddricinu

Karen Traub: WMUA’s music selection an enriching part of life

Karen Traub: WMUA’s music selection an enriching part of life

Tuesday, January 19, 2016
(Published in print: Wednesday, January 20, 2016)

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To the editor:

When I moved to Northampton after college, WMUA was one of the best things about the area, introducing me to music I didn’t know existed like zydeco, polka and Tuvan throat singing.

Many wonderful programs disappeared when the student hosts graduated, but the “Polka Bandstand” with Billy Belina followed me through life. In the late 80s, I would drink coffee and annoy my housemates with polka on Saturday mornings. Little Billy Jr. was so cute helping his dad.

Life went on. I met the man of my dreams and we started a family. As the years went by, I listened while driving my kids to soccer, karate and drum lessons. Last summer I went to Ocean Beach Park Polka Days and finally met my polka hero. I thank Belina and the crew for enriching my life.

My donations to WMUA were part of the half million dollars polka raised. The polka shows are a cultural icon of the Pioneer Valley and will no doubt continue via the Internet and Valley Free Radio. Unfortunately, along with many other loyal fans, I will lose access to the music that makes Saturdays happy and snappy.

Given its longevity, considerable financial contribution and cultural significance, I request that the WMUA polka music family be considered separately from the 24-hour limit on community music, or that the limit be altered to restore the polka hours.

The University of Massachusetts has a responsibility to the community that hosts and supports it, as well as to the volunteers who have given so much over the years. I hope the station and the university will find an answer that doesn’t include denying us the programs we count on.

Karen Traub

Shutesbury

Headlines summarize the recent chapter of the library story

Shutesbury puts library on hold  May 5, 2001 Daily Hampshire Gazette

Library plans sweet reward- chocolate to lure public’s input Feb 9, 2007 The Gfld Recorder

032 Deemed a fine site for Shutesbury Library Gazette 1/10/10

Big Step forward for Shutesbury Gazette 7/15/11

Late Drive defeats Shutesbury Library Gazette 11/11/11

Shutesbury to hold second vote on library. Hearing draws 200-plus to speak for/against revote

Tie vote on Shutesbury Library  Recorder 1/11/12

Shutesbury Fails to break the Tie   Montague Reporter 5/17/12

Shutesbury library video gets international attention: Celebrities tweeting about it, donations come in from around the world Gazette 3/10/12

Library Shelved Gazette July 1, 2012

4/14/15 Letter to Selectman Mike VInskey

 Hi Mike,

    Thanks for getting back to me and sorry to bother you on your vacation. With town meeting around the corner I'm grateful for long distance communication and it was helpful chatting with you. I hope your search for a retirement community is fruitful. 

   It was reassuring to hear you support the broadband initiative. I agree there are only a small number of people who are happy with their DSL or don't use the internet and don't care about those of us who don't have it. As we discussed, that seems to be true for the schools as well. People with children and those who value public education view it as an investment while others think only of themselves.

   As you know, I care deeply about Shutesbury and my experience on town boards gives me confidence in the process that allows all sides to be heard.  Voters elect town officials as their representatives. Allowing town departments to do their job without micro-managing or questioning their judgement is not the same as handing over a blank check.    The story of the little red hen could have been written about town government; volunteers grow the wheat and bake the bread and others who benefit, criticize, question, or veto the way the bread was made. Three cheers for your jumping in to help bake the bread with no previous experience. The fact that anyone willing to serve can get elected is the very embodiment of Lincoln's "Government of the people, by the people, for the people."  While I appreciate the efforts of a citizen group to improve communication, it is unfortunate that the democratic process of town government that has worked for over 200 years isn't working for you. I believe Shutesbury would be better served saving the taxpayers $10,000 and inviting friendly conversation as the selectboard did at the recent community dinner.

   While you and I differ in our perspectives on the future, for example I envision a 21st century library of adequate size while you are envisioning a retirement community in Florida,  we share concern for resale value and taxes. I am confident that there is room for all perspectives and the best we can do is to make the most of our democratic process rather than try to reinvent it.

Thanks again for keeping communication open. 

Yours in community,

Karen Traub