The Editor,
Re. "Do we really need libraries?" and "Library a centre of learning" (Face to Face, The Tri-City News, Jan. 11).
Fifteen million dollars is a lot of money, at least for most of us. I have been a patron of many libraries in B.C. for many years. What a valuable resource for written information, music CDs, DVDs and public computers.
An overlooked public resource for learning about our world and its people with our various cultures are community aquatic centres. At various times of the day, one can meet and actually socialize with people from around the world in a safe and comfortable setting. A side benefit is improved health and fitness, saving the medical system much needed money.
My question is this: Why is it, with all the benefits that we can access from going to the aquatic centres on a regular basis, that we must pay to use the facility, unlike the library, which is free to the patrons? Surely, water must be a lot less expensive than books? I suggest that a library card should also work at the aquatic centres for admittance.
Norbert Kaysser,
Port Coquitlam
