Saturday, January 26, 2008

Librarians critical resource

I applaud the efforts of Lisa Layera Brunkan ("Plea for school librarians," Jan. 24) to stand up for what is good for children and for our fine public schools.

One of the most critical elements in Spokane's quality of life is its high-quality public education system. Unlike other cities, people know their children will get a great education in a safe environment at Spokane public schools. Having been involved with work force development and physician recruiting in Spokane, I can tell you that one of the most significant reasons people choose to relocate to Spokane is our quality public education system. It is of critical importance that library funding be included in the state education funding formula.

Libraries, and qualified librarians, are a critical component of public education. When I was a fourth-grader in Spokane, with the encouragement of the librarian, I read nearly every book in the school's library. The key to learning is reading, and good librarians help children explore their world through books. I want to ensure that our children have access to the quality public education that Spokane is known for. Textbooks are not enough – children thrive with exposure to the world of books.

John Driscoll
Spokane