Along with a newspaper and a good cup of hot coffee, libraries are a proof positive that we are living in a civilized time and place.
The history of public libraries in America began with Benjamin Franklin, and the latest milestone in that grand tradition is the overwhelming vote in Morton for the city to join the five-county Timberland Regional Library System.
A decisive 73 percent vote — that’s three in four voters, a level of widespread support rarely achieved in any election, anywhere — approved a November ballot measure to annex Morton into the Timberland district. This means that the more than 1,100 residents of Morton no longer need to pay an $82 annual fee to access library services in Salkum, Randle, any of Timberland’s 27 libraries.
Once Morton residents get a library card from any Timberland branch, they can begin placing holds and checking out from approximately 1.3 million items. Library cardholders have access to dozens of useful online databases for all ages, such as Homework Help for kids and teens, Mango (a language learning program), Consumer Reports and Chilton’s Auto Repair database. All library card holders should peruse www.trl.org for access to the surprisingly wide array of resources available.
Morton residents also have free access to free e-books, free wi-fi at Timberland locations and ability to reserve library spaces to hold meetings and events.
Property owners in Morton will pay 38.3 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, or about $57 a year for the owner of a $150,000 property.
That’s a reasonable price for access to Timberland’s resources, although it’s a nice bonus that, because the vote took place so late in the year, property owners will get a year for free. The tax will first be implemented in 2014.
Talks have already begun about bringing a physical library presence to the Tilton Valley, perhaps by utilizing the library in the Morton Junior/Senior High School as a possible site. Other options include a kiosk or leasing a building. It’s up to the city to decide a building plan.
Morton was one of the last cities in Lewis County not to be part of the Timberland system. Napavine, Lewis County’s third-largest city, is one of the few remaining holdouts. Citizens there are the poorer for it. They don’t have free access to nearby Timberland libraries, and they don’t have a library site in town.
It’s time to change that.
We urge the City Council in Napavine to push for a public vote so citizens can decide whether to link arms with Benjamin Franklin and one of the grandest American traditions.
