Nancy Van Erp, Sartell
It’s in the best interest of the people of Sartell for the Sartell City Council to reconsider the location of the public library. We should all be deeply concerned about our city’s capacity, tendency and likelihood to take full advantage of the wealth of resources offered by the GRRL system if the library is not centrally located and easily accessible.
Access to print, digital and other educational materials/resources can have a dramatic and positive impact on individuals and cities alike. Optimizing that impact is paramount for ideal human development, especially for youth and others who do not have a variety of additional rich learning experiences to draw on. A central location for the library will enable that sort of impact because it will allow for increased access for ALL residents regardless of socio-economic status or other demographic and geographic realities.
The location chosen for the library can exponentially increase or decrease our schools’ potential to work in tandem with the library and fulfill their planned efforts to teach students how to use the library proficiently. A library in close proximity to schools will also allow educators to partner with the library to enhance student learning as well as awareness of the varied enrichment potential available via the GRRL system. Being near schools will also mean the library will be visited more often by families with school-age children and grandchildren as they travel to and from school-based activities.
The people of Sartell are counting on their city-council members to reconsider the location of the GRRL Sartell branch because access matters. As residents, we trust the city council will discern wisely and selflessly while keeping in mind the incredible opportunity and responsibility inherent in this decision. We also trust the Sartell City Council’s goal for choosing the location of the library is not to appease a select few but instead to do what is best for all people in the city. Optimizing accessibility is best for everybody.
“We’re all just walking each other home.” -Ram Dass