The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor:

I abruptly and regretfully left Waitsburg early last spring to become a full-time babysitter for my granddaughter as my son and his wife devote every moment they have to building their home in Montana before the snow flies.

Before I left, I was a trustee at the Weller Public Library in Waitsburg. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with fellow trustees, members of the Friends of the Library, Rosie, the adults and children who came to the library, and the hard-working volunteers. They assisted in the clean-up and build-out at the back of the library and other areas inside, making it a more friendly, safe, and useful place. In addition, I valued the thoughtful support of the City Council moving projects forward.

Yes, I am now at a distance from Waitsburg, but due to my committed interest in the continued well-being of the Weller Library and its continued success in providing for all citizens, I stay in touch.

I will assume anyone who has an opinion about the changes at the library has read and considered the Weller Public Library 2023-2024 library budget produced by the Board of Trustees and Twila Tate. The budget includes funding requests for library books and materials, supplies, programming, and staffing to address the challenges and opportunities to maintain and expand the library.

If you haven’t become familiar with this important document, I encourage you to do so. It is an extremely thoughtful budget attempting to address some critical needs. Like many rural communities, Waitsburg is working to resolve deferred investments and maintenance to ensure continued benefit for citizens, particularly the up-and-coming new generations. Acknowledging tradition and leading with heart implies that these issues were not taken personally but were calmly examined and weighed with inclusive perspectives. A well-funded and managed library grows great intelligent citizens.

I want to express my appreciation to Twila Tate, the highly qualified librarian of the Weller Library, the Board of Trustees, and Friends of the Library. No civic process is becoming any easier in these times. Those currently responsible for the library as volunteer trustees, friends, new employees, and other engaged residents deserve respectful support.

Sincerely,

Terry Lawhead

Stevensville, Mont.