Message from the Director

“A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” _{Thus wrote Founding Father and 4th President of the United States (1809-1817) James Madison.}

“Knowledge is Power,” _{wrote Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626)}

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest,” _{Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) reminded us.}

From life in a communist country, I personally know that all material possessions could be taken away in the flicker of an eyelid. The only wealth no one can take away is one’s knowledge.

The idea that knowledge empowers people is not new. Today, it is public libraries that are the true bastions of knowledge. The library provides free access to information, opportunities for lifelong learning and accumulation of knowledge, all of which lead to improved quality of life and arm people with the ability to govern themselves.

The library protects people’s Right to Read and Right to Know, it is a community commons for discourse and exchange of ideas, it passes the torch of civilization from one generation to the next and enriches the lives of those who come in contact with it. _{Ophelia Georgiev Roop Library Director}