To the editor:
The magnitude of cuts to Haverhill Library budget dramatically affects every Haverhill citizen.
In the current proposed budget, we will fire children's department librarians. We will reduce access to computers. We will reduce hours for adult learning. We will close the library on weekends.
I see coverage in The Eagle-Tribune of other budget concerns, but not much for the exceptionally huge cuts for Haverhill Library.
The Haverhill Library is beloved: It is the cultural center for everyone. It gives job seekers resources to find a job. It helps children and middle school to high school students learn. It provides computers and computer training for those who cannot afford computers.
As we all know, computer literacy is a critical skill.
The Haverhill Library offers lynch pin educational programs, from children's activities to adults who come after work to learn how to pass the GED, citizenship test, read if they are dyslexic, and learn English fluently when they are U.S. citizens, but were not born here.
As a publishing executive with an M.A. in English on severely reduced pay, the Haverhill Library is my salvation: I can do research to find a position and keep it when I no longer can afford to buy books.
I visit the Haverhill library several times a week and always see children to the elderly checking out books, using computers, reading newspapers, and finding books on tape.
The positive impact of this excellent library and staff is central to Haverhill's being a great community.
The city budget is an excruciating challenge for the City Council, as it is with city councils throughout the U.S. Yet, more than a thousand people signed a protest sheet against firing even more librarians, especially for the children. See www.haverhillpl.org.
Carol Crowell
Haverhill
