Saturday, September 20th adults and children joined together to support the Douglas County Yes to Libraries campaign.
Hundreds of people enjoyed Market in the Pines in The Village Square Shoppes located in Castle Pines North. Scores of children and adults walked west on Castle Pines Parkway carrying signs and banners proclaiming their support for the upcoming library initiative 5A.
Library supporters enjoyed azure-blue skies while passing motorists offered their support with cheerful waves and harmonious car horns. Douglas County Officers ensured a safe walk to the corner of Monarch and Castle Pines Parkway - the proposed location for the new library in Castle Pines.
Initiative 5A would bring a new library to Castle Pines on the northwest corner of Monarch and Castle Pines Parkway. In addition to a new library in Castle Pines, a YES vote on 5A would provide Douglas County with two more new libraries - a new library in Parker (on donated land), and one in Lone Tree (also on donated land). In addition to three new libraries, renovations and upgrades are planned for the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock and the Highlands Ranch Library.
Castle Pines North Mayor
Maureen Shul participated in the walk for the library. Following the event, Mayor Shul said, "The enormous participation in this walk to support a library for our community was fantastic! The kid's enthusiasm was especially inspiring to everyone, and we are determined to work harder than ever to make sure a library in Castle Pines North becomes a reality." Mayor Shul has consistently supported the Yes to Libraries campaign.
James LaRue, Director of Douglas County Libraries added, "Libraries change lives and they bring people together. The enthusiasm of these families and volunteers walking today shows that we all have ownership of our libraries; libraries belong to all of us."
Libraries are much more than merely brick and mortar. Libraries represent opportunity; libraries represent community; libraries represent people and dreams. Libraries offer a safe place to learn, grow, and explore who we are and what we believe. We are all an integral part of the library. Without books we have no past and no future. An investment in libraries is an investment in ourselves.
This November 4th you will have an opportunity to vote YES for Douglas County Libraries. Great communities support great libraries and great libraries support great communities.
Whether you live in Castle Pines Village, Castle Pines North, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Roxborough, or Parker - a YES vote on Initiative 5A will safeguard the future of Douglas County Libraries for you and your community.
Going Green and living green saves money.
Jeff Yeager, known as "The Ultimate Cheapskate," and author of the book,
The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches (Broadway), believes libraries save money and preserve precious resources.
Why buy books, CDs, and DVDs when you can borrow them at your local library? Why drive to Blockbuster, then to Borders, then to the music store when you can enjoy free books, CDs, DVDs and more at your library? The logic is indisputable. You can save costly gasoline and reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing the amazing offerings at your library.
Imagine how many trees you save by borrowing books instead of buying them. The publishing industry imposes a colossal-size carbon footprint on our environment. And picture the vast lakes of oil required to produce tons of plastic DVDs and CDs. Why not borrow instead of buying?
If you borrow two books a month instead of buying them for $30.00 each, and borrow two movies a month instead of spending $6.00 per movie at a video outlet, you would save a whopping $864.00 a year.
Initiative 5A asks for a modest 1 mill levy increase of just $23.88 for a $300,000 home - less than the cost of one hardcover book.
With the implementation of automated book returns, Douglas County Libraries decreased back-room staff by two-thirds allowing library personnel to be available to help you find the perfect book, CD or DVD. Douglas County Library demand is up by nearly 75% yet staffing at Douglas County Libraries has remained constant. This high level of efficiency confirms that Douglas County Libraries are responsible stewards of your tax dollars and have earned your support this November 4th.
Please Say Yes to Libraries-Vote YES on 5A.
For more information please visit:
www.yestolibraries.com or send an email to
info@yestolibraries.com.