Sometimes the best use of this column is to give others a voice.

Today I am giving my space to Karen Dennerlein, who is secretary of the Chautauqua/Cattaraugus Library System Board representing the 38 member libraries in the two counties.

Like many others, I am dismayed that the Busti board members seem to view the libraries as an afterthought, ignoring the importance our own residents place on these treasured assets. I’m not sure how much louder we can speak: We love our libraries, we use our libraries and we need our libraries. And since you are charged with demonstrating the will of the people who pay the taxes in our town, we expect you to help keep our libraries open and well funded.

They are, after all, part of the reason we live here.

I think residents have made it clear that we want to live in a town that places a value on learning, community and outreach. Libraries are not, as some would have you believe, dinosaurs of a pre-computer age, but thriving community centers that are keeping pace with a new world and providing important services and programs to our residents.

Our libraries are among the most underfunded in the entire state of New York.

There’s a public hearing on Busti’s preliminary budget this Monday at 6:45 at the Town of Busti building at 125 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood. We’re asking residents to turn out and show our board members how much our libraries matter.

The letter from Karen (changed slightly for sake of space):

Dear Sirs:

Our libraries rate very highly in our community as noted by a recent survey conducted by our residents to create a comprehensive plan.

In fact, our libraries are setting records for attendance, circulation and provision of access to ideas and events. This year alone at Lakewood, library visits are up 10 percent, wifi sessions are up 130 percent, children’s books circulation is up 20 percent and membership is up nearly 20 percent – just a few of the exploding statistics that show the importance our community places on our libraries.

But we are critically underfunded. We have one of the lowest per capita rates of local government support in the entire state. That is shameful! As goes the health of your libraries, so goes the health of your community. A strong healthy library can reflect the success of the community to attract new businesses and residents to our area.

The Lakewood library is doing all it can to make efficient use of our funding. We have cut our proposed budget by 14 percent, increased the use of countless volunteers, and have stepped up our fundraising efforts. At present, our funding stands at 2008 levels and we are struggling to keep pace with the demands of our patrons and members of our community.

Libraries are no longer just about books.

We provide a huge range of services and programs to meet the needs of your community. We are the great equalizers and offer a variety of services to meet the ever changing needs of our growing patron base. Our libraries provide high speed internet capacity to keep students competitive in today’s technological environment. Even the schools recognize that students today require up-to-date technological services to help with their homework – services that are not available in rural homes.

And libraries are the cultural centers of the community.

We preserve your history. We provide programs for kids throughout the summer months. We provide computer classes and help with job seeking skills. Our outreach programs go into nursing homes. We provide help with home schoolers. We partner with the Resource Center and Aspire to help to meet the demands of our population with special needs. We are helping to bridge the gap between the digital and analog worlds. Trained librarians and staff help you sort through the oversaturated field of information available in cyberspace. We provide a place for the community to get together and share ideas for growth and improvement.

In the recent survey for the comprehensive plan, residents expressed a wish for extended library hours. We could then provide help with homework for students and provide space for small groups to gather in the evenings. But, we are expected to do more and more with less and less.

Let me remind you that you are elected officials charged with the duty of representing those who put you in office. Libraries are changing to meet current needs and demands. It behooves you to listen to our concerns and act accordingly to support these great community assets and treasures – your libraries.

Yours Truly,

Karen Dennerlein