I’m a farmer. To anyone who thinks libraries aren’t important, I’d like to ask: “Do you like to eat?” If you do, you should support libraries (as well as USDA funding to farmers). I often use the library to learn about and research new ways of farming and interesting things other farmers are doing. If you love to eat, love your library!

Libraries have saved my life. As a child the library was a refuge for me from a neglectful alcoholic home. Reading (and librarians) helped me escape, get into a great school, and make a life for myself. I did my work study in a library to help pay for my scholarship. I have always had a current library card. I raised my children to be readers and use the library. I go to the library at least once a week even now for books, movies, events, and community. Every service libraries offer is valuable. Libraries are the greatest of public institutions. Save them!

Our public library has always been a big part of our learning and growth process mostly for my children and grandchildren from story hour, getting new books and different events. However, since Covid happened and we were at home, the library was so very helpful to our isolation. I would text a book title for myself and my grands and within a few days, they were ready for pick and delivery into my car. The staff would often put in craft projects for the kids as well. Through that process I learnt how to use the online service. I currently have several books on a wish list and am able to have them waiting for me in a steady flow. The biggest change for me is the audible books (Libby and Hoopla). It has been irreplaceable for my walking and biking exercise. I can go much further and faster when listening to the books. The cost of books today is so expensive and I know I would not be able to read as I do if it wasn't for the library. I often remark how essential in my life the library is especially since Covid. Thank you, Sue Ann, Chicopee resident

I love my local library as a place to learn, indulge my curiosity, and be around other people from my community. It provides an authentic organic way of being a person in the world, learning about the world free from burdensome and psychologically destructive internet platforms.

I come here to get rid of my stress.

I love the library for its public study spaces. It's great being surrounded by other community members also studying, whether it be for school, a topic in their professional work or just something they want to dive deeper into. Life is unavoidably challenging and expensive, so I feel everyone needs the library as a place to spend a quiet hour or two at no cost studying whatever they find worthwhile and interesting.

My mom took us to the library, just like her mom took her. She asked us to support the library and keep the love of the library alive in our families. The libraries are the flower of our democracy. Please restore the funding; expand the funding; fund them more and more and more!