Connie Kruger and Susan Tracy: Support Jones Library renovation and expansion

We have always been in favor of the Jones Library renovation and expansion. We think the improvements to the HVAC system and teh climate controlled space for Special Collections alone make it a worthwhile project. The addition of dedicated children’s and tenn space, in addition to the expanded ESL space and teh new display space for teh African American Civil War tablets, speaks to those citizens in our community whose interests and needs can be easily overlooked. The fact that the renovation doesn’t use fossil fuels and advances the building to a net-zero structure gives it another great advantage over the current structure. 

We live in dangerous times where the current Trump administration is advocating the censorship of pubilc school and university curricula and threatening libraries and museums. In his recent executive orders cutting funds for the Institute of Museums and Library Services, federal and military libraries, the National Archives and the Smithsonian Institution among other actions, Donald Trump is trying to eliminate sources of information that contradict him and his policies. 

Amherst should be standing with others to defend our intellectual, political and cultural institutions, among them the Jones Library. We certainly shouldn’t capitulate to the persistent and strident minority voices in our town who urge the defunding of our precious library, the cultural heart of the town, as we all seek to combat authoritarianism in our federal government and need the renovated and expanded library resources to help us. 

Please continue your support for this essential community project. 

Connie Kruger and Susan Tracy

Amherst