A Celebration of Libraries

As we anticipate the beginning of 2015, I choose to reflect on an important year for Roanoke Public Libraries.  The symbol of our successful campaign to expand and improve the public libraries was the November opening of the renovated mail library in Downtown Roanoke.

As president of the Roanoke Public Library Foundation, I have a vested interest in the continued success of public libraries.  The following statements about public libraries are extracted from The Quotable Book Lover, edited by Ben Jacobs & Helena Hjalmarsson [The Library Press, 2002]:

Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library.  The only entrance requirement is interest.

Lady Bird Johnson

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries.

John F. Kennedy

The true university of these days is a collection of books.

Thomas Carlyle

My library was dukedom enough.

Prospero

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

HAPPY NEW YEAR!