To the editor:

I want to encourage my fellow Lawrence citizens to support the recently proposed expansion of the Lawrence Public Library.

Since my retirement, I have become a library “regular.” My 4-year-old grandson and I enjoy frequent trips to the library. Often I use the computers in the lower level of the library to work on genealogy research, and I find the interlibrary loan service integral to that work as well.

It is obvious to me that a major expansion of the library facility is required in order for it to properly and effectively serve the Lawrence population. The children’s library staff has created an inviting environment for children, but they are highly confined by a lack of space. Patrons can only use a library computer one hour before being required to give it up to the next person in line. When doing research, I can barely get started on a line of thought before it is time to stop. Both of these concerns would be addressed by the proposed expansion.

I am a property owner and, being retired, live on a fixed income. The library expansion would cost me $37 per year, an acceptable amount for an initiative that will benefit the entire community so significantly. An added benefit of improving our library facility with expanded room for community programming is that we can bring more vitality to the downtown Lawrence experience. With an expanded Lawrence Public Library, downtown will be even better!