I thought I would insert a story about a pet project of mine-The Douglas County Libraries.

Being that I promised more charter school stories, you can view this as a little intermission--or commercial break--while you digest the handy information I gave you just yesterday.

I have never met someone who does not have a library story. I am not talking about that overdue library book that is collecting dust--and fees--under your bed. I am referring to personal experiences. Even if you have never set foot inside your neighborhood library as an adult, I bet that someone brought you when you were a child.

I was born and raised in Sweden in a town that you likely have never heard of. It's so insignificantly small internationally I am not sure that it could be viewed on the current Euro-GPS System. But it did have a big town feature-a downtown library. It wasn't just any library. This was a three-story library with escalators, inside playgrounds, local art exhibits and a full-blown Swedish Café. Since I am old enough to have immigrated here on the Mayflower (or maybe it was Pan Am), let me remind you that I am describing the retro city library of my childhood. Swedes believe in a lot of things, such as healthcare, sex education, Volvo, world peace-and libraries for all! Growing up I never realized there was a life out there without these.

Parker has Wal-Mart and Target, plus somehow four banks on every corner in addition to three Starbucks--but somehow we did not get our votes out to support a new library last year?

Am I the only one who feels that this is bizarre?

I am not saying that our libraries need to be loaded with pastry shops and indoor playgrounds that compete with McPlayland, but having a local library that is sufficient to serve the growing population is essential.

When did you last try to park outside the Parker Library? How long did you carefully maneuver your car around the potholes, swaying back and forth like a vehicle from "Pimp-Your-Ride," before giving up or parking across the street?

Have you been there when families have given up hope to attend story-time with their kids because there was simply not room?

It is not an issue of efficiency. Those of you that are frequent patrons know this as fact. Over the years, as the community has grown, we have seen new drop-off systems, self-service-checkout, online reservation and renewal services, plus more!

What you may not know is that the Douglas County Library operates debt free and with the same budget as in 1996. That's right--there has not been any increase in funds for twelve years. Suppose that if our library use was the same as in 1996, this would not be an issue, but the use of the Parker Library has increased with 85% since then.

Our library has been frugal finding creative spaces for our libraries too--the beautiful Castle Rock Library is inside an old grocery store, the Parker Library is currently inside an old bowling alley and previously inside the water and sanitation building. This time if voted and approved, both the Lone Tree library and the Parker library will be on built donated land.

What library memories do we want for our kids? What stories do we want them to tell?

Douglas County voters--here's another chance-Douglas County Libraries are 5A on the ballot. Let's make it happen!