Nowadays, the library may not mean a lot to you and me. Between the Internet, eBooks, blogs and Barnes and Noble – what's the point?
However, for the third graders at 13th and Union Elementary in Reading, Pa. it means everything. So when they heard budget cuts would shut the doors on three of their beloved branches, the news was heartbreaking.
"I felt very sad that the library was closing because it's important to my life and all of us in the community," student Ashley Familia said.
Ashley and her friends started a campaign to save their libraries.
"They've been writing letters and making posters and collecting money…they've been doing everything," teacher Sarah Netter said.
The kids even drafted an email to the mayor, with a little help from Netter. A day after hitting send, the mayor replied asking to meet with his pint-sized constituents.
Sitting in one of the community branches, mayor Tom McMahon patiently heard testimony from the group of 150 kids Tuesday.
"We need libraries to read and to go on the computer 'cause some people at home don't have computers at home…and it's a safe place," said one young girl.
"It's good for the kids because if they don't have libraries, they can't learn," said a boy.
Then the students pulled out the big guns -- their own money.
"Wow," said McMahon as several students walked up to him with jars and bags full of cash.
"How can we not find ways to save the library after this," he admitted to the students.
Frankly, he didn't need much convincing. "I think these kids could have a huge role in saving this branch," McMahon said. "We are gonna have to find a way to find this money."
But, unfortunately, it's not all up to the mayor. He needs city council to help find the cash.
So he's asked the students to march on the next council meeting to hear their cause.
"I want their own thoughts on why they think libraries are important," McMahon said. "We're gonna make a campaign of this because we've gotta save these libraries."
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