By now you have your ballot for the Sno-Isle levy election. Sno-Isle makes a compelling argument for a yes vote. I’ve calculated my cost, based on 9 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of my home; this will cost me an extra $9 a month.
In my opinion, that is a small price to pay to continue to keep out libraries’ doors open to welcome every person who visits, and to reach thousands more with outreach programs. I don’t just mean helping people looking for a good read, but am talking about helping customers who have cut ties with cable and need a DVD, or seniors needing large-print or audio books, or moms, dads and grandparents who depend on our story-times and other reading readiness programs to not only help their kids, but to help them connect with the outside world.
I’m also talking about job seekers who utilize Workforce programs, computer users, students who arrive for tutoring or who utilize our 24-hour online tutorials. How about the large number of community groups who utilize free meeting space, mostly in the evening hours? Groups ranging from the Girl Scouts, HOAs, water districts and the League of Women Voters to only name a few who depend on this community resource.
There are also our many outreach programs like Bookmobile visits, The Third-Grade Reading Challenge and TEDx events which reach many more people. There are so many more services I could name if space weren’t limited, but it is, so please vote yes to help Sno-Isle maintain its current level of services, hours and staffing.
Terry Lippincott
Snohomish
