On behalf of the Dunbar Free Library trustees, I am writing to share how the proposed federal budget would impact the library. The proposed federal budget eliminates funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 public libraries and 35,000 museums. Losing $1.7 million per year would hurt New Hampshire’s libraries in the following ways:
Interlibrary loans: A statewide interlibrary loan program, which gives you access through your local library to every loanable item in the state, delivered over 260,000 items in 2015. Without the state’s van service, loans by mail instead would be prohibitively expensive and the number of items available from your library would diminish drastically. Supporting book clubs would be impossible.
Access to e-books: Every year, 900,000 e-books and e-audiobooks are borrowed through New Hampshire Downloadable Books. NHDB makes thousands of titles available for Kindles, smartphones and tablets, and is partially funded through IMLS funding.
Electronic databases: The state library uses IMLS funds to purchase services through EBSCO, an online host of research databases providing library users access to expensive academic, medical, legal, corporate and government research tools.
These services support equalized access to materials across the state. To help restore IMLS funding to the budget, please share your story. How has your library engaged your children, helped you find work, learn a language, etc.? The state is gathering stories to present on National Library Legislative Day, May 1. Send your stories to ccfriese@cityofportsmouth.com.
And call your legislators.
Sara Lang, chairpersonOn behalf of the Dunbar Free Library Trustees
Grantham
I would just like to compliment Shawn Braley, Valley News illustrator, for his wonderful depiction of the four protagonists of the Second World War depicted in Larry Coffin’s “Dark Days of 1942,” on April 22. The line work is exquisite, especially the face of President Roosevelt. I particularly liked the way he made the eyes come alive. Well done, Shawn!
James Barrie Sellers
Hanover
As a nearly lifelong resident of the wonderful city of Lebanon, I have thought long about a tribute to the memory of a former educator, sports enthusiast, mentor, volunteer, gardener, husband, father and, by gosh, an all-around wonderful guy, who, by the way, remembered, in my last encounter with him after over 40-plus years, my name, my high school graduating class and my family.
I drive up and down Seminary Hill often and I notice a sign denoting “Civic Memorial Field” on the corner of Aldrich Avenue.
With no intention of criticizing those who chose this name for those great fields, “civic” and “memorial” are two very general labels.
I wonder if anyone else would get behind an effort to rename those fields the Douglas MacGregor Memorial Fields?
I personally rate Doug MacGregor along with the likes of Jim Weschler, Lang Metcalf and the Heistad family for their contributions not only to sports but their dedication to this wonderful place we call home.
Donald B. Perron
Lebanon
The article that appeared in the April 17 edition on Edward Janeway Jr. was terrific (“ ‘Everything He Participated In, He Became a Constructive Force’ ”). I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Janeway late in his life at Valley Terrace. He was a highly intelligent gentleman with a warm personality.
Our fathers were good friends way back in time. Mr. Janeway Sr. was Republican National Committeeman back in the days of the Aiken-Gibson wing of the Vermont Republican Party. I am old enough to remember that years ago we had liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats here in Vermont. How times change!
One thing never changes and that is character — and both Janeways had it.
Roy S. Black
White River Junction
I believe that public funding should go to public schools. New Hampshire Senate Bill 193 would allow a student to be eligible for a “scholarship” or vouchers to enroll in a private school. Vouchers give direct government funding to pay for private and sectarian education. This impinges upon the limited financial resources explicitly intended for public schools and undermines the intent to educate all our children with public taxes.
I have several objections to the use of public funds for a voucher program.
First, parents who wish to send their children to private or sectarian schools are not prevented from doing so. However, they should fund their child’s education in the same manner as private colleges and universities.
Second, I believe funding of religious schools violates the constitutionally-based doctrine of the separation of church and state. The originators of the Constitution, several of whom were nonreligious, agnostic or atheist, were emphatically clear in their language and intent in the First Amendment. They opposed taxation to support religion. Vouchers force Americans to pay taxes to support religion.
Third, private schools are not held accountable for how they use public funds. They do not need to disclose what their funding supports. They can engage in selectivity and discrimination in the admissions process. There is no control over what radical or unorthodox concepts might be taught to children in private institutions.
I wholeheartedly support full public funding of our schools so they can be strong, healthy and viable. Any channeling away of public funding from public schools undermines them financially, diverting badly needed resources at the expense of students. This infringes upon the very concept and objective of public education, that the citizenry provide funding in order that all children should have an equal opportunity at a quality education. Voucher programs work at cross-purposes with this intent. I am urging my elected representatives to vote against SB 193.
Nancy Allison
Lyme
So, if you are a privileged, white, rich business executive like Roger Ailes or Bill O’Reilly, you can sexually harass your employees, and your employers will pay to settle your lawsuits, “fire” you and issue you a multimillion-dollar golden parachute.
Any of us would have lost our job and probably gone to jail. Americans need to wake up and elect people who will put an end to the plutocracy that passes for democracy in our country today. Despite his appeal to the middle class, which he has betrayed, Donald Trump is an enabler of these people and we should replace him and his cronies as soon as possible.
Brian P. Allen
Pomfret