After the declaration that Vermont State University libraries would become digital, I have followed public response. Like many, many others, I fear loss of rural college physical libraries means consequential loss of rural colleges.
Regardless of public outcry, there is no genuine response to the wishes of the people. Nor a financial imperative for rural higher education in Vermont government.
My story and reason for libraries in rural Vermont colleges is opportunity. Colleges have students, professors and libraries. My personal experiences with that combination are that myself, my husband, my sister, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, cousins and our oldest daughter all graduated from Lyndon State College. Most of us while working.
Our daughter continued with an additional degree from Vermont Technical College. We met lifelong friends and settled in for the educational experience. The local college provided what we could not afford financially elsewhere or manage circumstantially away from home.
I have a personal library. It is a sweet comfort zone. Some new books, many old ones. Friends I count on for information, entertainment or design inspiration for my work.
Internet and electricity unnecessary.
I read on my Kindle and enjoy audio books but to find a physical page, a beautiful reproduction of art or reread favorite excerpts, easily found, an actual book in hand is the best.
Walking the aisles of a library is an experience of self discovery. A tablet is luggage full of good stuff — useful, but no serendipity.
Mary Simpson
Lyndonville