To the editor:

Central Whidbey and Coupeville deserve an expanded library – as a community we are ready to open wide a window on the world!

Today, the Coupeville Library is more than just a quick resource to check out books or use the computer; it has become a community cultural and educational center for people of all ages, all economic levels, and all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Our library is the cornerstone of our community and hub of cultural experience for all of Central Whidbey.

As a photographer, writer, and documentary producer, I have been honored to make presentations in diverse libraries; from Seattle to Washington, D.C., Mill Creek to the Grand Canyon. Needless to say, I am very excited that our community has the opportunity to upgrade our library facilities to attract more artists, authors, and diverse programs into our community.

By expanding our library, we can begin to meet the needs of our growing community, offering even more resources to everyone with free and equal access to greater knowledge and diverse information. With additional space and improved access to resources, we will be in a new position to capitalize on national programs offered by The American Library Association’s Public Programs Office, whose mission is to foster cultural programming as an integral part of library service.

As a community, we will be able to participate more effectively with a network of library programmers, scholars, writers, artists, foundations, and other national, regional, and local organizations for the benefit of everyone in our community. Just as the Coupeville Arts Center put us on the global arts map, so too can an expanded library enhance our quality of life and provide superior access to a global culture.

As a 20-year Coupeville resident, I believe we have a profound opportunity. With our Yes votes, we can open wide a window that brings more of the world into our community for the benefit to each and every one of us. Remember vote YES, vote twice!

Kathleen Jo Ryan

Coupeville