Kim Tjaden, Sartell
As I was riding in my car today, listening to a program on Minnesota Public Radio about the best books of the year, I began to feel sad.
Sad because children of Sartell cannot ride their bikes or walk to a library to check out the newest books or old classics while their parents are at work.
Sad because busy Moms and Dads don’t have close access to great infant, toddler and preschool reading programs where their children will learn to love books.
Sad because children whose schools embrace technology may not have access to Internet with which to finish projects, turn in assignments or send questions to their teachers outside of class time.
Sad because those in our city who don’t drive cannot access social programming at our regional library like book clubs, writers’ groups and technology classes.
Sad because teenagers can’t access great-writers groups, game nights and book clubs designed especially for them.
Sad because the majority of my city council is taking no action to bring these wonderful resources to Sartell, even though money has been raised through a sales tax.
Instead of feeling sad, I choose to feel hopeful.
Hopeful our city will open dialogue about a library branch rather than shut it down. Hopeful citizens of this great city will share their opinions with their leaders. Hopeful we can explore ways to get a library branch in Sartell.
Please reach out to your city council and implore them to discuss a plan to bring a library branch to Sartell. Ideas such as using the current city hall or moving the proposed community center to a central location and setting aside funding for a library. Also, please thank council members Amy Braig-Lindstrom and David Peterson for their support and encourage the others to engage in the conversation!