Rosendale Library must serve community needs

Dear Editor,

Without question, the Rosendale Library, in our fine little town, is a gem. The people who work there are dedicated, helpful, forward-thinking, and skilled beyond any reasonable expectation for a town our size. The building itself is gorgeous and the subject of many a postcard … back in the day when post cards were common.

But that doesn’t mean our library couldn’t be a lot better. We could have a small, simple community pool much like the one I grew up using in Woodstock. Instead, we have a wonderful, large pool that can accommodate the whole community plus a swim team. We could have small, quaint one- or two-room schoolhouses — and some are still present scattered around our district. They are so fun to visit! Instead, we have invested in centralized schools with state-ofthe-art science and technology spaces, theaters, band and choir spaces and a stunning athletic field with lights and a beautiful track.

There are those who say we must “think outside the box” and find ways to keep our lovely little library just as it is, and has been for decades, so our children can have the same experience we had when we were children. I see that as thinking deeply inside the box. Instead, I believe we should find ways to make our library the very best that a vibrant community such as Rosendale can be proud of and that can serve our community, especially our children, in ways that complement 21st century needs. Moreover, the beautiful building can still be a part of our community, and we can love it, and make new postcards to show the world how proud of it we are.

Let’s come together and search for ways to expand and enhance what our library can do. It can be a space that is the envy of our region and people will flock to it.

Jim Sullivan Rosendale, N.Y.