Shea is the best pick for library board

Most of us recognize that the Sandpoint and Clark Fork branches of the East Bonner County Library District are remarkably innovative and vibrant gathering places. The highly functional volunteer board is to be congratulated for making this so — particularly in the contentious environment of the past few years. Their mission is to provide access to opportunities for discovery, connection and lifelong learning. They’ve expanded programming while reducing costs to the taxpayers — not an easy task and an unpaid one at that.

It’s a joy to have a library which serves the needs of our entire community through thoughtful curation, a Book Mobile that travels throughout East Bonner County three days each week, extensive tutoring programs and opportunities to volunteer.

Susan Shea (as a member of the board) listens to all perspectives from the community, considers the implications and makes good decisions to keep our library functioning to support lifelong learning while keeping costs low. Shea will not ban books.

Susan Shea should be reelected to the board. She’s a longtime resident of the area who brings financial experience and objective decision-making. The current volunteer board is highly functional with a wealth of professional experience spanning library science, education and finance. Let’s learn a lesson from the NIC board and avoid chaos in our local library.

And, if you haven’t visited the library, it’s worth the trip.

KATHRYN LARSON

Sagle