For the past year, I have kept my distance from the growing brouhaha over the library. However, with such a valuable community resource now in jeopardy, I can no longer sit on the sidelines.

While I’m eager to address the rumors, misinformation, and made up facts being spread throughout the county, I first wish to provide some historical perspective.

I led the successful campaign to form the Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD). I then served on the board of trustees for 14 years. I am passionate about libraries and their vital role in a healthy, vibrant community.

Since the Dayton Memorial Library first opened in 1937, it had been funded, through taxes collected from city residents, by the City of Dayton. As a result, rural county residents enjoyed nearly seven decades of FREE library service.

In the early 2000s, however, economic conditions changed. When the City of Dayton could no longer afford to fund the library, the rural county voters stepped up.

In 2005, 59% of the rural voters—those who live outside the city limits of Dayton and Starbuck—approved the creation of the library district. Through a new taxing district, they agreed to provide STABLE and significantly IMPROVED funding.

When 74% of the voters in the City of Dayton approved annexation to the district in 2009, all taxpayers, except Starbuck residents, became united in their direct financial support of our public library.

The campaign had promised More Books, More Hours, More Technology and the 21st century library service that the community needed and deserved. The library district has kept its promises.

Tens of thousands of dollars have been invested in the repair, improvement and maintenance of the historic 86-year-old Dayton Memorial Library building.

In 2016, the basement was converted from a storage room into a bright, engaging children’s and young adult library. The collection was expanded and additional staff hired to provide supervision.

Now, a small group of people believe that shutting down the library is the only way to protect and defend the children of our community. Wow. I thought that was my job as a parent.

My husband and I made specific choices for our family which included homeschooling and eliminating TV service. But we didn’t force our values and choices onto others. Our PUBLIC library serves everyone in our community regardless of income or convictions. Let’s keep it that way.

Tanya Patton

Dayton, Wash.