Dear editor,
Lynnfield has a wonderful opportunity at the Town Meeting on Oct. 16 to move forward with a new library that will meet the current and future needs of the town. As a kid, I walked from Edward Ave to the library in the center of town; a small, dark space overseen by the somewhat intimidating Elizabeth Green, Lynnfield’s first librarian. Eventually a small addition made the library more open and welcoming.
Libraries now are much more than a place to check out a book, and space needs have changed too. Quiet spaces are important, but so are community gathering places where townspeople can meet, plan, and collaborate. Communal learning areas for school-age children and adults are necessary. Collections have grown to include electronic media as well as books, magazines, newspapers, and pamphlets.
Libraries have a wide constituency from toddlers to senior citizens such as myself.
In order to meet the needs of such a diverse group, our library staff has worked hard to have programs and resources available for all. The configuration of the current building does not allow, however, for modern purposes of the library system. Use of the basement area is not ideal — in fact it flooded in 2014 .
It is time to build a new library that Lynnfield patrons can access safely to take advantage of the ever-changing media landscape.
Susan McDonough is a Lynnfield resident.
