The campaign

to get the bond referendum for the Peachtree City library expansion and

renovation passed got some new allies Wednesday night, though the majority

of them can't vote yet.

A number of

students from McIntosh High School, as well as Peachtree City Youth Council

leader Shelby Barker, addressed the Library Commission at their monthly

meeting Wednesday and spoke in favor of the library project. The focus

of their comments was the suggested young adult section and study rooms,

as well as the possibility of using the Floy Farr meeting room, which

is located in the downstairs area of the library, for meetings and events.

Many of the students commented that their school couldn't meet all of

the needs of all of the extracurricular groups and they hoped the meeting

room at the library would be able to be used by organizations such as

debate team, 4-H and others.

Barker then

spoke and pledged the help of the Peachtree City Youth Council during

the campaign. Commission Chairman Chris Clark was very encouraged by the

students willingness to get involved.

"You will

learn a lot about politics in this process," Clark said. "Both

good and bad."

The bad referred

to some opposition being vocalized to the commission to the proposed teen

room. Vice chairman Marie Washburn told the students at the meeting that

they would be key in changing the perception the opposition has.

"Your

demeanor and presentation will be a good selling point," Washburn

said, pleased with the way the students addressed the commission and presented

themselves.

Though most

of the students are not of voting age, they will be helping the campaign

at upcoming events such as the Hispanic Heritage Festival or it may mean

participating in an envelope stuffing party. The students seemed eager

to get started and their optimism was contagious for the commission.

In the coming

weeks, members of the commission will provide information about the expansion

to civic groups such as the Rotary Club and the PTOs of local schools.

They can't urge the groups to vote either way on the issue but they can

provide them with all of the information they need. A pamphlet is expected

to be ready within the next two weeks and member Madge Quick has presented

a flyer featuring the Friends of the Library mascot, the Bookworm Buddy,

urging people to vote yes on the referendum.

Member Barbara

Swafford urged her colleagues and the citizens attending the meeting to

make the campaign personal, suggesting personal notes or e-mails to friends,

asking them for their support at the polls but also during the campaign.

The Library

Commission will meet again next Wednesday for a workshop at 6:30 p.m.

at the Peachtree City library.