Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 24, 1993 TAG: 9310260308
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Laurel Davis
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Circulation is up.
Computer is down.
This verse by Pyke Johnson Jr. does not apply to the Blacksburg area branch of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. Yes, circulation is up - but there is no computer in sight.
Approval of the Library Bond Referendum on Nov. 2 by the citizens of Montgomery County will allow for renovation and expansion of the Blacksburg library, so the library will have adequate space for books, programs (especially its wonderful programs for children!), seating and parking. It also will allow for a computer network to automate the entire Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, which includes branches in Christiansburg, Blacksburg and Floyd.
A computer system linking the three regional libraries will make it easier and faster for people to find information they need. Schools will have access to public library collections through computers in their libraries. And the Blacksburg library will operate more efficiently, running a larger facility without adding staff.
Circulation at the Blacksburg Library has increased dramatically over the last decade. Last year the Blacksburg library checked out 28 percent more books than the library in Christiansburg, even though its collection is 8,000 books smaller and the library is two-thirds the size of the one in Christiansburg.
Particularly striking has been the increased demand for books and programs for children.
``Many hands make dirty books,'' wrote Henry Coutts. The Blacksburg Library needs more books - both to replace worn and damaged volumes and to keep up with the increasing demand. It also needs the space to store them. A larger collection would benefit the entire library system, because these books would be available to all branches of the library.
Too often we take our public libraries for granted. We think that if a book is reviewed in the paper on Sunday, then it had better be in our library on Monday.
We think the library should be open longer hours. We think the library staff should always be available to assist us. We think the libraries will always be there. We think it shouldn't cost us a dime.
Too few of us realize that local funds are the overwhelming source of fuel for all public libraries, including the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library system. At least 65 percent of its revenue comes from local funds. If we don't give our library system the support it needs, there is no ``higher'' fun ding source that is going to provide that support.
It is time to stop taking our library system for granted, and to give it the support it needs and deserves. Approval of the library bond referendum would do just that!
Laurel Davis
Blacksburg
by CNB