Letters From Our Readers

Public library an

investment in the future of Huntsville

The residents of Huntsville will have a say in the city’s future when they cast their votes in the upcoming library bond election on Nov. 3.

I live in Conroe and will not be eligible to vote in this election, so you may wonder why I am so concerned. Since I was only 3 weeks old when my family moved to Huntsville, my heartstrings to Huntsville are strong.

I grew up living on Avenue Q, then Avenue S, and my parents lived here until they died. Because of my family’s circumstances, your city library has always been extremely important to me.

I write this as I am looking at my father’s service award presented to him for being a founding member of the Friends of the Huntsville Public Library board of directors.

I keep this on my desk as an inspiration and reminder to me that serving the library was always an important part of Ralph Davis’ life. This public library service was instilled in me and it has become my own destiny as a library supporter.

Daddy was the one who encouraged me to write the mayor of Huntsville, Raymond Wright, when I was 9 years old to ask for a city library. The letter was published in the Item, and brought more attention to a movement that had already been started by concerned citizens regarding a city library.

When the library was built, it became an important part of our weekend. Daddy would take me there and we would check out books to read during the next week. When I was 6 years old, my mother had her first nervous breakdown and diagnosed as manic-depressive schizophrenic. Reading books from the library helped me escape the situation.

I try to visit the library whenever I come back into town. I see every computer being used (and people waiting), parents and children reading together in a cramped space, and people coming in and out for books-it’s always a busy place.

I attended the 40th anniversary of the library, and saw familiar faces of local library lovers. My original letter was on display, and several people encouraged me to write another letter asking the citizens of Huntsville to invest in the future of the library, which I did in February 2008.

So, here I am again writing another letter to the residents of Huntsville hoping that they will invest in the future and vote yes for the library bond.

I’m just one person from Huntsville with this story about your library and how it helped change my life.

When it comes time to cast your vote, remember my story and how libraries can change lives.

First lady Laura Bush says it best. “Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally, and the key to that treasure chest if the library card. I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.”

Please invest in the future of Huntsville and vote ‘yes” for the library bond on Nov. 3.

Vicki Davis Christopher

Conroe