Public library is ‘symbol of freedom'

To the editor: When young Ben Franklin and his fellow printers were trying to think of some way to help their community, they hit upon the idea of starting a lending library, pooling their money to buy books. A good idea in 1731 remains a good idea in 2005. By supporting Monroe Free Library, we keep faith with Ben Franklin and the many generations since that have considered libraries an essential element of a good community. Supporting Monroe Free Library says something about ourselves individually and our community, and we show our children what we value. Each year since I have lived here, Monroe Free Library has gotten better. To continue to grow with our growing community, it needs our support. The public library is fundamentally an American institution, a symbol of freedom for a free people, older than the Revolution, as patriotic as the flag, as important as any other family value. Please vote YES for the Monroe Free Library budget. K.J. Walters Monroe