Library isn't a luxury

Library isn't a luxury
EDITOR:
I grew up in the Great Depression when little things meant a lot. Eventually, "Little Things Mean A Lot" became the title of a love song.
But the national refrain back in those dark and hungry days was "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?" It was in complete harmony with the bleakness and harshness of the times.
Dimes are precious little by today's standards, but there were days during the Depression when that's all it took to see people through.
Yes, little things meant a great deal, and they still do.
The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library's levy on the May 2 ballot is a lot like that. Perhaps not a "little thing" to those scraping the bottom of the barrel in these hard times, but to all those who borrow books or other materials from the library or its branches, it can be money well spent.
Without the levy, the library will be teetering on the edge like the old war horse that lost its shoe. The shoe is missing because the State of Ohio has gone back on its promises to supply adequate money for the nails to keep shoes on the horse.
This has put the library system in an untenable position and it just can't handle its ever-growing number of patrons and provide adequate services - now at all-time levels - without additional funding.
If the levy is not passed, the library and branches will keep limping along like the old war horse until it loses another shoe and then another, finally finding itself completely hobbled. When that happens, what is now in stock at the libraries, and eroding away, will be all that is left.
Since the state has turned its back, the nail buying to keep the libraries on their feet is up to us when we go to the polls on May 2.
When you step in the booth to cast your ballot, please remember that libraries contain the diary of the human race. H.W Beecher, American clergyman, called libraries not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life. Please vote from the heart and we cannot lose.
JIM BROWN
Cortland
Much ado about a hair do
EDITOR:
I am a Campbell resident. I have an 8- year-old who goes to Campbell Elementary. I recently read the article about the controversy about the hair color of two girls. I am tired of every time a child's hair is not of normal color, the newspaper makes a big deal of it.
What about the good in Campbell schools? Why is our new principal, Dr. Walls, not praised for all the good he does? Dr. Walls takes time out of his busy day to read to different classes. He greets the children every morning as they walk in the building. I have been involved with schools since my 25-year-old son started school, and Dr. Walls is without a doubt a children-oriented man. Dr. Walls is always walking the halls. When I have called the school he always calls back the same day.
Also, our new superintendent is walking halls. Although the hair issue is none of my concern I feel we should show the good in Campbell schools. It's a great school and I feel honored to volunteer at the school. I can go on and on about the school, but please take the time out to see for yourself. There are students, teachers and volunteers of the month. Please, again, take the time out to praise our school and see the good in Campbell.
FRAN VALENTINO
Campbell