To the editor:

With our declining economy and reduced tax base we are all suffering in some way, and we all realize that every one is going to have to make hard adjustments. I happen to be a lifelong library lover and volunteer and it hurts to see the painful cuts in services, materials and programs that have to be faced this year, and even more next October when the budget shortfall for our libraries will almost triple. As a Lee County Advisory Board member, I have seen our library administrators working hard to deal with having to shorten library hours, not replace retiring or resigning staff members, and cutting almost every aspect of funding. Our hard-working library staff will be stretched like an elastic to take up the slack As the economy has worsened, the circulation figures of every library in the system has exploded. The Cape Coral-Lee County Library served more than 500,000 people last year, and that number continues to increase. Our computers are full, with people waiting, trying to find help with jobs resumes, food stamps, unemployment compensation, welfare. Families and singles alike have cut back on entertainment, movies, theater tickets, restaurant meals (unless it is buy the entree, get one free), and reduced travel and vacation plans. Where do they go? Our libraries, free movies, music, books on tape, and books, magazines, newspapers, and wonderful programs for adult, teens and children. The libraries will be in desperate need of volunteers to shelve books, and take over some of the everyday tasks that will fall on to our professional staff. I realize that every department in the county, police, fire schools parks, and on and on, and, yes, the libraries, are in despair over the cuts.But libraries serve the entire population, and provide services not available elsewhere. Take a look at the numbers of school age children crowding the computers, asking for help with our unbelievable reference staff.

Our Cape Coral-Lee County Library served more than 500,000 people last year and that number is growing. We urge the county commissioners to be gentle with our budget cut, and the people of the county to think about how they can help our libraries by volunteering and supporting our book sales and other fund raising project.

Joyce Lyons

Cape Coral