Deerfield voters, please let our library grow. We have a wonderful public library in South Deerfield. Our librarians and staff over the years have done an extraordinary job in making the Tilton Library the center of the community. The list of library activities and offerings is seemingly endless, serving all age groups, especially our children and seniors. The library is well used; in fact, every cranny is used. The Tilton Library, which opened in 1916, during World War I, is now woefully inadequate to meet the needs of the town. There is so little space that when a new book comes in, another book must come off the shelf. Should there have been a new library before now? Some said we could not afford it, our taxes will go up. But a dedicated group of community members has been working for more than a decade to position South Deerfield to get a state-of-the-art library, and they obtained a $4 million grant. But there’s a catch. The town has to approve this grant, and if it’s not approved, we lose the $4 million. And we lose the possibility of a public place where folks of all ages can gather and meet, enjoy entertainment and culture, read and work in an attractive space with bathrooms, an elevator and proper ventilation, access to computers and the internet, and of course, free books. That’s why it’s critical for Deerfield residents to attend our special Town Meeting and support the library. Don’t let that $4 million go down the drain. That’s why I’m asking you to please attend our special Town Meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24 in the Frontier High School auditorium (masks suggested), and vote for the library expansion. The time to do it is now.
Barry Pfannebecker
South Deerfield