Re: Cal Beverly’s recent editorial concerning our library. Our Peachtree City Library is not only the heart of this city, but it is her very soul. At no other location do all our citizens, young and old and in-between — of all faiths, all races, of many national origins and native tongues — come together in one place to make use, for free, of a veritable treasure trove.
You have seen the statistics on the use of our library’s varied media — print books and e-books, magazines and newspapers, films on DVD and music on CD, as well as microfilm and microfiche – and that of the reference services offered — in person, over the phone, or via email – and the statistics are staggering.
It is indeed the very busiest, daily, of any city-supported venue. As a constant patron of the library, as well as a volunteer via my association with Friends of the Peachtree City Library, I am there several times per week, at different times of the day and evening — working, attending lectures or meetings, or doing research. It is always busy, and I have rarely seen a down-time enjoyed by the hard-working staff.
These are not city employees talking and laughing around a water-cooler – they are out there working with the public, all day, every day.
To cut funding to our library any further would be foolish. People move to this city for the quality of life it offers – our library is an integral part, a central part of that quality of life.
Peachtree City is above the national average in so many ways, and one of the most important ways it excels is our library and the service it provides. It must rank among the city’s essential services when funds are allocated.
E. Lee Eltzroth
Peachtree City, Ga.
