First published in the Times Union: Sunday, February 4, 2007
We two seniors will be voting in favor of the library bond issue on Tuesday. The new branch libraries will be fully accessible to all people, disabled or not. They will enhance neighborhoods.
Many of us who live in Albany will be able to save gasoline by walking or busing to our libraries, "the university for the rest of us." Young and old will have the latest books and information science available for instruction and use. Interest groups will have nice meeting rooms.
In this vote, as a community, we will be able to pass on what we always accepted as ours, but which was in fact paid for by preceding generations.
VERA AND RICHARD PROPP
Albany
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Monday, February 05, 2007
Libraries are invaluable for Literacy Volunteers
First published in the Times Union: Sunday, February 4, 2007
No doubt contrary to the writer's intention, committeeman Albert Paolucci's comment in these pages, "Libraries we don't need," prompted a flood of letters in support of the library bond that will be proposed to voters on Tuesday. Literacy Volunteers would like to add to the chorus of voices advocating improvements to Albany's public library system.
We wonder if Mr. Paolucci knows that Literacy Volunteers -- Mohawk/Hudson, which has been providing free instruction to Albany adults in reading, writing, and speaking English for more than 40 years, relies almost exclusively on our public libraries for space and resources. Most of our volunteer tutors meet with their students in the safe and welcoming atmosphere of a neighborhood library.
There are private rooms in which to hold lessons, books and other educational materials easily accessible, and friendly and knowledgeable librarians to offer professional advice.
Our tutor training workshops and inservices are held in the libraries, and the Pine Hills Branch houses a special literacy resource center for the use of tutors. Many of our adult students apply for their first library card at the encouragement of their tutors, beginning a lifelong practice of reading that many of us take for granted.
Literacy Volunteers could not fulfill its mission of "changing lives and building community by strengthening literacy skills" in the commercial atmosphere of Borders or Barnes & Nobles or the research ambience of the New York State Library. We urge residents to vote yes to support their local libraries.
ROBERT N. STEVENS
Executive Director
Literacy Volunteers
Mohawk/Hudson, Inc.
Albany
No doubt contrary to the writer's intention, committeeman Albert Paolucci's comment in these pages, "Libraries we don't need," prompted a flood of letters in support of the library bond that will be proposed to voters on Tuesday. Literacy Volunteers would like to add to the chorus of voices advocating improvements to Albany's public library system.
We wonder if Mr. Paolucci knows that Literacy Volunteers -- Mohawk/Hudson, which has been providing free instruction to Albany adults in reading, writing, and speaking English for more than 40 years, relies almost exclusively on our public libraries for space and resources. Most of our volunteer tutors meet with their students in the safe and welcoming atmosphere of a neighborhood library.
There are private rooms in which to hold lessons, books and other educational materials easily accessible, and friendly and knowledgeable librarians to offer professional advice.
Our tutor training workshops and inservices are held in the libraries, and the Pine Hills Branch houses a special literacy resource center for the use of tutors. Many of our adult students apply for their first library card at the encouragement of their tutors, beginning a lifelong practice of reading that many of us take for granted.
Literacy Volunteers could not fulfill its mission of "changing lives and building community by strengthening literacy skills" in the commercial atmosphere of Borders or Barnes & Nobles or the research ambience of the New York State Library. We urge residents to vote yes to support their local libraries.
ROBERT N. STEVENS
Executive Director
Literacy Volunteers
Mohawk/Hudson, Inc.
Albany
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Give students the best by supporting the library plan
First published in the Times Union: Thursday, February 1, 2007
As president of the Pine Hills Elementary PTA, I know that our school community is grateful to the voters and taxpayers of Albany for our beautiful new building.
Indeed, that was the theme of our grand opening on Thursday, Jan. 11. We also appreciate the hard work of all those involved in the creation of our building and those who helped to facilitate our moves "there and back again."
Coming so recently from the oldest building in the district (the former School 16) and swing space in the former Albany High School (and Phillip Schuyler Elementary School), we are in a unique position to understand just what a difference a well-designed building makes to our children and our school community.
Similarly, all of Albany's neighborhoods deserve and need good community libraries. Libraries help nurture learning and provide entry to the wider world of knowledge and information, especially in communities where the technology gap is widest. As a former bookstore manager and a librarian, I know that no bookstore can or would duplicate those services, even if one were located nearby.
We have an opportunity on Tuesday to support both our schools and our libraries, and to show all of Albany's children that we value their education and want to give them access to opportunities for a brighter future. Better yet, we can do this at very little additional cost to taxpayers -- none for the schools and a minimal amount for the libraries.
Thank you Albany for the new Pine Hills Elementary School building. Now let's give the children in Arbor Hill, the Lincoln Park area and the South End equally wonderful schools and libraries.
CAROLYN KEEFE
Albany
As president of the Pine Hills Elementary PTA, I know that our school community is grateful to the voters and taxpayers of Albany for our beautiful new building.
Indeed, that was the theme of our grand opening on Thursday, Jan. 11. We also appreciate the hard work of all those involved in the creation of our building and those who helped to facilitate our moves "there and back again."
Coming so recently from the oldest building in the district (the former School 16) and swing space in the former Albany High School (and Phillip Schuyler Elementary School), we are in a unique position to understand just what a difference a well-designed building makes to our children and our school community.
Similarly, all of Albany's neighborhoods deserve and need good community libraries. Libraries help nurture learning and provide entry to the wider world of knowledge and information, especially in communities where the technology gap is widest. As a former bookstore manager and a librarian, I know that no bookstore can or would duplicate those services, even if one were located nearby.
We have an opportunity on Tuesday to support both our schools and our libraries, and to show all of Albany's children that we value their education and want to give them access to opportunities for a brighter future. Better yet, we can do this at very little additional cost to taxpayers -- none for the schools and a minimal amount for the libraries.
Thank you Albany for the new Pine Hills Elementary School building. Now let's give the children in Arbor Hill, the Lincoln Park area and the South End equally wonderful schools and libraries.
CAROLYN KEEFE
Albany
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