Thank you, Winthrop
Dear Editor:
The Friends of the Winthrop Library board, advisory board, committee members and volunteers give a hearty thank you to the Winthrop Town Council and to Mayor Ranzau for their recent decision to purchase the White Avenue property as the site for the new Winthrop Public Library. As Ray Johnston said in his presentation last week, libraries in the 21st century are places of discovery and community, filling the critical need for inspired public space as well as providing information access to everyone. Our community’s comments at Sunday’s “Hopes and Dreams” workshop confirmed just how important this is for you as well.
The Town Council’s decision shows their unwavering belief in the future of our community as defined by opportunity and relationship. The library’s current location was meant to be temporary and is inadequate to serve the needs of our book-loving community, as well as those most in need of public space and information access. Its location on a floodway makes it inappropriate for new building. After working with the Town of Winthrop for the past year to find the best location that meets identified requirements of being central, visible, walkable and accessible, the town’s decision shows thoughtful selection and foresight. The lot selected will fall on as many as three school bus routes, as well as be accessible from TranGO, is located along the Susie Stephens trail, and brings together the youngest and oldest in our community.
Winthrop’s strong statement and investment in our future sets the stage for this legacy project, a library and public space that will support our continued growth and development and all of our residents for decades to come. We thank the council and mayor for their decision and commit to continue to work with our community as we move into the next phase of the project, ensuring it is designed for our community’s requirements, hopes and dreams, leading us into the future.
Friends of the Winthrop Library board and campaign committee members: Shannon Huffman Polson, Pat Leigh, Sarah Berns, Nancy Juergens, Bruce Honsinger, Dan Kaltenbach, Carl and Roxie Miller, Richard Hart, Peter Polson, Wendy Sims
