The Shutesbury Library
Democracy in action? On the town/community level? It's a good thing, but it can get ugly...
While I'm nestled in on the hillside in Scotland, lots of things have been going on in my hometown back in Massachusetts. The latest one is a very big, community-dividing debate about whether or not to approve funding for a new library.
We're a small town amidst other small towns, population under 3,000. Not big, and we have a tiny library to serve us. Thing is, the library gets used a lot by the community. It's packed full of books and cds and dvds, making use of every bit of space. It's an old building, with no running water, and no place to sit inside. They made the improvement of a composting toilet a few years back, but that hardly makes the building a comfortable space to hang out in.
So there's been a lot of support for building a new library. The town applied for - and got - a grant worth something like 2.1 million. The folks in the town need to come up with another 1.4 million, that would be paid for through... taxes. Oh my. For that, we'd get a much bigger, modern facility that would include all sorts of space inside for events, meetings, classes, as well as just tables to actually sit at and read! It would be great. I'd be in there everyday.
It had seemed like things were going forward smoothly, but in a late round of voting (there have been a number of votes throughout the grant process) a majority of NO voters emerged. They mobilized at the last minute, and caught the YES voters off guard. The YES folks argued that there should be a revote because the NO folks had campaigned with a lot of misinformation - and there hadn't been time to respond to that before the last vote. After a very fractious meeting, the council that decides such things voted to allow the revote. Since then, both sides have been on a full-out campaign to win the Jan 10th vote.
Here's an article about it.
It's been tense. I'm an ocean away, but I feel the tension. I'm also, of course, a huge supporter. I want this library, and believe it will be a great addition to our community - a progressive one that looks to the future and creates prosperity for us. Many people have rallied with donations to the new library fund and by making pledges of donations over the long term. But the vote is going to be close.
If you have any interest in donating a few dollars to this effort at community library building you could do so here. Every dollar helps. You could consider it an investment in helping me write my future books - since the new library will be a big part of writing them!
I recently wrote a letter of support that's posted on the YES for Library! website. Here's what I wrote:
While I'm nestled in on the hillside in Scotland, lots of things have been going on in my hometown back in Massachusetts. The latest one is a very big, community-dividing debate about whether or not to approve funding for a new library.
We're a small town amidst other small towns, population under 3,000. Not big, and we have a tiny library to serve us. Thing is, the library gets used a lot by the community. It's packed full of books and cds and dvds, making use of every bit of space. It's an old building, with no running water, and no place to sit inside. They made the improvement of a composting toilet a few years back, but that hardly makes the building a comfortable space to hang out in.
So there's been a lot of support for building a new library. The town applied for - and got - a grant worth something like 2.1 million. The folks in the town need to come up with another 1.4 million, that would be paid for through... taxes. Oh my. For that, we'd get a much bigger, modern facility that would include all sorts of space inside for events, meetings, classes, as well as just tables to actually sit at and read! It would be great. I'd be in there everyday.
It had seemed like things were going forward smoothly, but in a late round of voting (there have been a number of votes throughout the grant process) a majority of NO voters emerged. They mobilized at the last minute, and caught the YES voters off guard. The YES folks argued that there should be a revote because the NO folks had campaigned with a lot of misinformation - and there hadn't been time to respond to that before the last vote. After a very fractious meeting, the council that decides such things voted to allow the revote. Since then, both sides have been on a full-out campaign to win the Jan 10th vote.
Here's an article about it.
It's been tense. I'm an ocean away, but I feel the tension. I'm also, of course, a huge supporter. I want this library, and believe it will be a great addition to our community - a progressive one that looks to the future and creates prosperity for us. Many people have rallied with donations to the new library fund and by making pledges of donations over the long term. But the vote is going to be close.
If you have any interest in donating a few dollars to this effort at community library building you could do so here. Every dollar helps. You could consider it an investment in helping me write my future books - since the new library will be a big part of writing them!
I recently wrote a letter of support that's posted on the YES for Library! website. Here's what I wrote:
I’m an ocean away from Shutesbury
right now. My family and I are living in Scotland this year, spending time
reconnecting with Gudrun’s homeland. It’s great, but we miss our home on Old
Egypt Road. We watched with concern as you guys faced the hurricane, and also
when that crazy Halloween storm came through. Now we find ourselves worrying
about the debate over the new library. We support it with all our hearts, and
it troubles us deeply to learn that it’s in jeopardy.
Over here, we get asked a lot
about the place we call home - especially as people know that for a while we’d
been intending to make our move to Scotland permanent. Considering all the
places that we could (and have) lived, what makes us so sure Shutesbury is the
place for us? We provide them lots of reasons. 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.
If I’m honest, though, when I
praise “our” library I’m really praising the area’s libraries collectively. I’m
combining what Spear offers with what’s offered by Leverett and Wendell,
Amherst and even Sunderland. I use all of those libraries often, but only
because they offer the space and facilities that the Spear Library doesn’t. I’d
much rather be spending my library time in a similar facility in Shutesbury.
(I’d do a lot less driving, too!)
We are rather heavy library
users, I’ll admit. I’m a novelist. Gudrun’s a knitwear designer. We both work
from home, and for a number of years our kids were homeschooled. For us, the
library is an integral part of our lives. I’ve been thinking a lot about what
it would be like to be someone that wasn’t a big library user, or even just
someone that’s satisfied with the way things are now. Should they be asked to
chip in for something they’re not going to use, or don’t feel is necessary?
Perhaps not, but I don’t think
that question really gets at the heart of this situation. The new library would
offer so many things for all of us. Many people that don’t currently frequent
Spear would do so in the new one. People that like Spear well enough would find
myriad things to love about the new library. New things. More people than ever
could use the facility, and they could use it on their own terms, for the
things that are important to them.
How would you use the new
public spaces? What things will the library offer that will save you
money? What programs would you want to see created? What clubs or groups
interest you - and need an awesome facility to come to life? What
courses do you want to take close to home, or which ones would you
teach? The new library provides an incredible opportunity to offer whatever it
is that you want it to. You can demand that it provides services
that make it relevant for your life. By doing so you’ll help make it a place
for all of us.
Personally, I would love to be
able to offer writing courses, especially ones for teens. I’ve published six
novels and taught at various universities and writing seminars, but something
about teaching within my own community has a special allure to it. I can also
imagine hosting visiting writers in the new library. The Odyssey is a great
bookshop, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have some authors come to us every
now and then? They would if we asked, and if we provided the space to make it
possible. Gudrun - knitwear designer extraordinaire that she is - can envision
teaching knitting-related courses. She gets invited to teach everywhere from
Maine to New York, Iceland to Scotland to Italy; why not gather with people and
talk knitting right on home turf?
Variations on all of these things
are possible without the new library, but there’s something about the right
space that makes things happen, that serves to concentrate energy and shape
notions into realities. There’s something about the space being ours that
brings it to life in a more vibrant way. That’s what I think this library could
do for us. The gains we can all get from it can far outweigh any costs.
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 Anthony Durham
Labels: Shutesbury
70 Comments:
Sending you warmest thanks from home in Shutesbury. Books, reading, learning, new technology, community center and community building... there is passion for all this among the YES for Library folks.
Thank you David!
Thanks Michael. It must be very difficult on the ground in Shutesbury right now. Our thoughts - and hopes - are very much with you.
You have a real ability for writing unique and so helpful content. I like how you think and the way you represent your views in this blogs posts. I agree with your way of thinking. Thank you for sharing. urgent assignment help -
Assignment Help Brisbane -
auditing assignment
Unlike traditional classes and exams, there is a very slight amount of monitoring when it comes to take my online class. This often makes students less attentive and focused. Lack of focus and determination makes it tough for them to be consistent. Many of them fail to gain good grades and ask to take my online exam for me to professionals. Another common reason why many students prefer to take essay helper from experts is that they lack confidence. Not having enough courage or belief in their potential makes them think that they can mess things.
The best thing we have with our online. Explanation Help Provider in Sydney is that we have a very large canvas. We provide incentive support to practically all subjects under the sun. In addition to the two topics that you pay attention to find essay writing service in Sydney, we provide online cheap essay help. Online Assignment Help Sydney If you are still stuck again and investing your time, the best assignment in Sydney will help.
This is an awesome motivating content for me and, I am practically satisfied with you and your knowledge. You put truly extremely supportive information's here. Keep it up and, Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next update. research paper help -
do my assignment -
college homework help
Nice Post....
How to perform HP Wireless Printer setup?
You need to download the HP Smart app from 123.hp.com to perform the HP Wireless Printer Setup. You can also download the app from the App Store. If you don’t have the app, you can do the set up in the following way. Initially, you need to go to the settings on the printer screen. Select settings and then tap over the network. You would be able to see your network on the screen. Select it and enter the network password. If this doesn’t work then place your printer near the Wi-Fi router. Open the HP Smart app. It would show you the available networks. You need to do as per the guided installation to complete the setup.
ngobrol games Baxia is an anti-regeneration tank that operates as a tank which works in a normal or severe regeneration against different heroes. Although Baxia has a role tank, it is a hero that is moving extremely high because of his talents. When this talent is activated, Baxia becomes a wheel that may harm and disrupt the opponents affected by Baxia. gamesorbit The ability to become a wheel needs precise timing and control, thus Baxia is hard to perfect. playergames
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info 토토사이트
DMSF is the best international medical institute with well-educated faculty.Davao medical college Philippines fees are affordable, and Philippines mbbs college structure is economical for international students.
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am 온라인카지노 sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained!
Аs tҺe аdmin oof this site іs աorking, no uncertainty very shօrtly іt will be well-known, due to its feature contents. 바카라사이트
Such an amazing and helpful post. I really really love it. 토토
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a piece of great information that is actually helpful. Good day! 파워볼게임
Thank you, I have recently been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.
But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source? 오피사이트
(mm)
Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyway,
just wanted to say great blog! 우리카지노
Build Vale Tersakit ialah hero di Mobile Legends dengan role mage. Hero ini mempunyai kemampuan set dengan brust damage tinggi dan dampak crowd kontrol yang bagus. Antiknya, pemain bisa mempunyai kenaikan kemampuan untuk damage atau CC.
Build Phoveus Tersakit 2021
Build Akai Tersakit 2021
Build Angela Tersakit 2021
Build Sun Tersakit 2021
Build Karina Tersakit 2021
I was just looking for this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Generally the top sites are full of garbage.
섯다
I was very pleased to find this page. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every part of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new information on your blog. Feel free to visit my website; 온라인카지노
Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. Feel free to visit my website; 바카라사이트
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues. It was really informative. Your site is very helpful. Thanks for sharing! Feel free to visit my website; 온라인카지노
when you are pregnant it is very important to eat a healthy diet. Your baby needs lots of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. There is some food you should avoid to eat during pregnancy to protect your baby from any type of problem in development like Fish and seafood, Eggplant, Unpasteurized milk and its products etc.
Explore the Best Website Designing, Website Development and Digital Marketing Company in Ambala Cantt. We help companies to drive growth through optimizing digital channels.
Web Development Course In Ambala Cantt | Web Designing Course In Ambala Cantt
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme
in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole
community will be grateful to you.Click Me Here오피월드
5CHERE
his is incredible, I feel really happy to have seen your webpage. I gained much unknown information, the way you have clearly explained is really fantastic. keep posting this information. You can check out does autozone install batteries
You made some good points there. I searched for the subject matter and found most individuals will go along with your blog. Congratulations! This is very recent too, and I thought of updating you guys on high-paying trades for females
I found so infinite educational blogs and, expressly its discourse. From the tons of information on your things about this niche, I imagine I am not the only one controlling all the leisure here! Keep up the good work and, Thank you so much admin for this suggestions. I have been meaning to write something like this on my website and you have given me an tips. make my assignment - coursework help - psychology assignment help
Architecture is the subject that requirements to see minutely. It can cause risk in the long haul, accordingly we stay up with the latest with regards to the most recent innovations. In your architecture assignments, our authors attempt to incorporate the best information and exploration based substance to make it alluring. my assignment help
I accidentally searched and visited your site. I still saw several posts during my visit, but the text was neat and readable. I will quote this post and post it on my blog. Would you like to visit my blog later? keonha cai
Hi there friends, pleasant post and fastidious urging commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.
성인야설
Integrated Assessment Pte Ltd, being an accredited Certification body provides ISO 9001 Certification in Singapore. IAS audits and provides ISO 9001 Certification in Singapore at the best price and shortest time. The ISO 9001 certification is highly recommended for all types of organizations in Singapore, irrespective of size & category. ISO 9001 Certification in Singapore| Quality Management | Audit and Reports | certificate in record time | Simple-Transparent | Contact:enquiry@iascertification.com. Call @ +6531591803
Amazing blog ever come across on the internet. In case you need online assignment help, then sourceessay.com will be the best place to learn the amazing writing techniques from assignment writers. Essay writing service Perth
Hello, I am one of the most impressed people in your article. 온라인바카라 If possible, please visit my website as well. Thank you.
ISO 50001 CERTIFICATION
ISO 50001 is a globally recognized Energy Management System standard. This international standard provides requirements for establishing, monitoring, maintaining, and implementing the energy performance of an organization. It provides control measures to identify, control, manage, and reduce the energy risks within the organization. It helps reduce energy usage and as well as improves energy efficiency. Also, the ISO 50001 is applicable to all organizations, irrespective of size, type, complexity, and geographical location. visit: ISO 50001 Certification
I really like your blog. Great article. You should also check out this article. Godaddy email login 365
Your posts are always informative. This post was a very interesting topic for me too. 파워볼사이트 I wish I could visit the site I run and exchange opinions with each other. So have a nice day.
IAS is a globally recognized certification body that provides ISO certifications, Product Certifications, Lead Auditor Training, and Internal Auditor training on various ISO standards.
BRC Certification
I have read your article; it is very informative and helpful for me. I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it. Feel free to visit my website; 야설
This is an excellent post I seen thanks to share it. It is really what I wanted to see hope in future you will continue for sharing such a excellent post. Feel free to visit my website; 일본야동
Very good written information. It will be valuable to anybody who employees it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work ? for sure i will check out more posts. Feel free to visit my website;
국산야동
Nice to be visiting your blog again. it has been months for me. Well this article that i’ve been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college. and it has same topic with your article. Thanks. great share Feel free to visit my website;
일본야동
It very well may be very unpleasant to make the fundamental groundwork for the large day. There are so numerous things that can turn out badly. You may end up tracking down a couple of wrinkles or pimples preceding the huge day. This is u nquestionably something which you would prefer not to see Feel free to visit my website;
한국야동
Hey there! The contents present at this website is actually remarkable. Thanks so much for sharing. Also visit fedponas pgd, pre-nd, pre-hnd, IJMB form out
It's so nice to know you. I hope you also welcome me.메가슬롯If you welcome me, please visit my blog and write. My blog is on It's hard because of Covid - 19, but let's do our best!!
ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Training guides the participants to clearly understand the importance of the Environmental Management System. This training makes the delegates as IRCA Certified Lead Auditors in EMS at the end of successful completion. ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Training
Don't go past my writing! Please read my article only once. Come here and read it once 카지노사이트
8 Things To Never Do At A 메이저놀이터 Table!
Youtube.com/activate
Youtube Tv is simply restricted to some piece of the USA, subsequent to seeing its prevalence it is currently accessible in the majority of the nations all over the planet. Youtube is presently hoping to grow it considerably more. The principal explanation for the outcome of Youtube television is moderateness with an enormous rundown of premium Tv stations.
thanks for sharing this facts. I truely like your blog submit very a good deal. You have certainly shared a informative and interesting blog post . You beget a completely exciting internet site. I just like the full statistics that you provender with every article. Very quality article, i loved studying your put up, very satisfactory percentage, i need to twit this to my fans. Thank you! Wow, first rate, i was wondering a way to remedy acne certainly. And observed your web page via google, found out a lot, now i’m a piece clear. I’ve bookmark your web page and additionally upload rss. Keep us up to date. I used to be browsing the internet for data and got here throughout your weblog. I am inspired by using the information you have in this weblog. It shows how nicely you apprehend this challenge. Handiest aspire to mention ones content can be as notable. This readability together with your post is brilliant and that i may think you’re a guru for this problem. Extraordinary along with your concur permit me to to seize your modern-day give to hold modified via the use of drawing close weblog publish. Thanks loads hundreds of in conjunction with you need to go at the pleasurable get the job performed. 안전놀이터
i will rarely wait to peruse masses of your posts. Particularly amazing!!! At the factor after i search for this i found this weblog at the highest factor of all web sites in net crawler. For absolutely the first time, i read your weblog and honestly cherished it. Your technique of conveying content material is certainly remarkable and calculable. Expectation you'll proceed with this and supply new, novel and stable substance from your aspect. As some distance as i might be concerned, it's a 5 stars article . Perfect to satisfy you. Your submit become truly noteworthy. It is a sudden thought. It is whatever however an remarkable improve to me. How did you concocted this virtuoso idea? Your composing capability is astounding. Like me, you is probably keen on my composition. Inside the occasion that you need to see my article .. That is very exciting substance! I've completely had a extremely good time analyzing your concentrations and have arrived on the resolution which you are without delay approximately a heavy bit of them. 오래된토토사이트
this is such a extraordinary aid which you are providing and also you give it away free of charge. I love seeing weblog that understand the price of offering a first-rate aid without cost. Terrific blog you have got here... It’s tough to discover great writing like yours nowadays. I also confer with our blog . It's far interesting to examine it and, use it. Thanks for the item. Your article appears sincerely lovely, here's a web site hyperlink i dropped for you which of them you can like. Extremely good article, it's far particularly beneficial! I quietly started out in this, and i'm becoming extra familiar with it better! Delights, maintain doing greater and additional mind-blowing 먹튀사이트
great post. I was checking continuously this blog and i'm inspired! Very useful statistics in particular the final element i take care of such facts a great deal. I was seeking out this specific facts for a completely long term. Thank you and nice of good fortune. Awesome post. I was continuously checking this article and i am inspired! Extremely beneficial statistics, particularly the primary element. I take care of such information loads. I was seeking this precise data for a totally long term. Desirable luck and thanks! I suppose this is many of the most crucial statistics for me. And i’m glad to examine your article. I am happy to percentage a tremendous post. Do you also check our article . I think this is some of the maximum critical facts for me. And that i’m glad to read your article. Additionally, i'm glad to percentage a excellent submit 파워볼
that is a incredible and inspirational video, and we are able to improve our characters after watching this video. So, we have to do the excellent for our lives and pass ahead in the direction of enhancements because through this we will spend a good life. Such a completely beneficial article. Very interesting to examine this newsletter. I would love to thanks for the efforts you had made for writing this extremely good article. Thank you for writing a exquisite blog. In this website, i continually see nice relying articles. I additionally observe you. I need to be the first-rate blogger such as you—whenever i really like to study your writing stuff due to the fact i get very useful content there. You do wonderful paintings. 토토사이트
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Thank you! . This is a truly good site post. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much information about this subject that have been uncovered and you’ve done your best, with so much class. If wanted to know more about green smoke reviews, than by all means come in and check our stuff. Love to read it, Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great. Thank you for sharing useful Information 꽁머니
CasinoMecca
oncasino
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that will make the most important changes. Thanks a lot for sharing. Also visit rhema university approved school fee schedule
The new report by Expert Market Research titled, ‘Global Trade Finance Market Size, Share, Growth, Price, Demand, Report and Forecast 2022-2027’, gives an in-depth analysis of the global Trade Finance Market, assessing the market based on its segments like type, end-use, major players, service provider, and major regions. The report tracks the latest and upcoming trends in the industry and studies their impact on the overall market in 2022-2027. The major players in the market are Standard Chartered Bank, Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Asian Development Bank, BNP Paribas, Euler Hermes [Allianz SE], HSBC Holdings PLC [HSBC Group], among others. These players have adopted various strategies to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the trade finance industry. Expert Market Research provides according to the clients’ needs and preferences, providing them with valuable, exact, actionable and up-to-date insights into the market, thus, helping them realize their optimum growth potential. For more information, You can visit our website.
Hesitating to hire a dissertation writing service because you don’t know How much it cost to have someone write your dissertation? then stop hesitating and hire qqi assignments help as they provide the best dissertation writing services at a very affordable price.
As I am looking at your writing, 온라인바카라 I regret being unable to do outdoor activities due to Corona 19, and I miss my old daily life. If you also miss the daily life of those days, would you please visit my site once? My site is a site where I post about photos and daily life when I was free.
I read your blog and thank you so much for this post, I was Impressed by your post a lot. coding assignment helper
I commend the effort you put towards creating this site, its contains such a nice content and very beautiful graphic background, thanks for sharing past-question-for-dragnet kpmg
I will express my heart's gratitude for writing such an impressive blog. We know that drafting assignment makes require a lot of dedication. So debts struggle while composing that due to time constraints. In order to help them, there are experts who may provide law assignment help services. So why are you holding back? Do connect with them and resolve your concern.
Thank you so much for writing such an impressive blog. If you are among those who need assistance, you may connect with professionals who hold degrees in academic writing. They may help students who are struggling and searching to pay someone to do my assignment. Resolve your issue by connecting with professionals.
I am very impressed with your post because this post is very beneficial for and provides new knowledge to me. Thanks so much for sharing. kwara coe cut off mark for management science
e, we’ve created a fun series of early-learning children’s storybooks. As exciting children’s book publishers, we aim to make reading and learning exciting and engaging.
Google Chrome is the most popular browser. Its clear interface, dependable device connections, and vast extension library make it easy to use. Its address bar integrates Google search, simplifying web searches. Google Chrome 2024 Latest Version is fast, stable, and user-friendly. It is based on the Chromium open-source project and has a basic appearance with a single Omnibox search/address bar for URLs and searches. Users may modify their surfing experience with a large choice of extensions and plugins.
Looking for reliable dissertation proofreading services UK? Sample Assignment UK offers meticulous editing and proofreading to ensure your dissertation is flawless. Enhance the quality of your work with expert help and achieve the grades you deserve.
تهتم شركة الدمام كلين لتنظيف الفنادق في الدمام اهتمامًا بالغًا بمواكبة التطورات التكنولوجية الحديثة في مختلف مجالات التنظيف وذلك بهدف تقديم أفضل خدمات التنظيف للشقق الفندقية تعمل على تقديم مجموعة شاملة من الخدمات والمعدات والمنظفات التي تساعد في إزالة أصعب البقع وهو ما يضمن تحقيق أعلى مستوى من الجودة والكفاءة.
شركة تنظيف فنادق بالدمام
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home