Ursula Minich-Boutwell

To the editor,

Mr. William Stephenson’s letter of 1/14/05 about the Gilford Library came at an ironic moment. Had he been at the library the previous evening as I was, he would have seen cars parked three deep at the Village Store for the Adult Discussion Group and a related children’s program. Inadequate parking and space issues were the only blemishes on an otherwise eventful evening.

When it comes to the library parking issues, I humbly consider myself an expert on the matter. Why? Because I live almost directly across the street. I cannot count the number of times that friends and strangers alike have knocked on my door asking to use my driveway for parking while attending a library function. It’s not because they don’t want to park in one of the library’s limited spaces; it is because they are already full. Let’s not reprimand our library for being so successful in its activities; let’s support it so that the activities can continue well into the future.

William also erroneously claims the Gilford Library offers “special kindergarten type babysitting functions.” The library offers no babysitting service, special or otherwise. Possibly he is thinking of the storytimes the library offers to the community. I have been attending the storytimes with my boys for about 10 years now, and I have never once left them at the library and attended to other things. Why? Because that is not what the Gilford Library storytimes are all about. They are a time for parents and children to spend together. I find them a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and my boys.

As for research, no library is ever complete — that is why the Gilford Library and the Laconia Library are both part of the NH State Library’s Interlibrary Loan System. The two libraries work as a team to service their communities. I am quite certain it is not a competition of which library has the most reference materials.

Finally, regarding the research capability of the Internet, here’s a quote from Craig Silverstein, the director of technology for Google, the world’s premier Internet search engine: “My guess is about 300 years until computers are as good as, say, your local reference library in doing research.” (Source: CBS News Sunday Morning, 3/28/04.)

I say there’s nothing odd about spending an average of $1.04 a week for a new facility that meets the growing needs of Gilford, not only in research, but in service and programs for the community as well. Maybe I should start charging for parking and put the money toward a much needed new library.

Ursula Minich-Boutwell

Gilford