Library is a special place for our youth

To the editor:

Our family moved to Cedar Rapids 10 years ago, right before the birth of our daughter. In those first couple of years with a new baby, I visited the old Cedar Rapids library only a handful of times. It was fine, but kind of dark and not a place I could see myself spending much time.

Then in 2008, when our daughter was three and at the prime age for story hours and learning to pick out her own library books, the flood came. And there was no library - for years. Sure, you could go to Marion or across town to Westdale, but that was enough of an undertaking with a toddler that it didn't happen very often.

Finally, two years ago, our daughter was attending a summer day camp where the kids were given a special, pre-opening tour of the new library. It was all she talked about for weeks afterward.

When the grand opening came I remember choking up a bit as she showed her dad and me all of the super special things about ‘her' library. And I watched all of the other kids there that day marveling in the wonders of ‘their' library too.

Our library is a special and important place for all of the children and adults of Cedar Rapids. Vote yes on the library levy proposal on Nov. 3.

Mollie Schlue

Cedar Rapids