Concern over Library Trustees

Dear Editor,

As the community should be aware by now, the Weller Public Library is under new management. When the new head librarian, Twila Tate, was hired she was also a Trustee of the Library. Seeing this as a conflict of interest and concerned about the future of the library, I attended the Library Board of Trustees meeting on September 20th, 2022. At the start of the meeting Twila shared that she will be voluntarily resigning as a Trustee. The fact that she wasn't given the ultimatum when offered the job to begin with is startling.

After some updates were given, the floor was opened to guests. I shared that my primary concern was (and still is) that the library and its programs should change and evolve, while keeping Waitsburg's One of Kind culture in mind and at the heart of it's being. For the most part, the Trustees remained silent. However, the responses I did receive from Trustee Jim Leid and Trustee Mike Hubbard were disappointing. Trustee Leid shared that there are a lot of new people to the community, to me essentially saying the culture is changing. Though this may be true, newcomers don't move to Waitsburg and fall in love with what could be, but with what is. I know several new families to the community that looked at surrounding areas for homes but settled on Waitsburg to raise their families. They felt the tradition, the safety, and the heart this community has. Trustee Hubbard's response to my concern was that the library needs change and I quote "this is not Rosie’s daycare anymore." The library was never "Rosie’s Daycare." Rosie is a kind loving soul who created an environment where moms felt welcomed, and children felt appreciated. It was a place that fostered a love for reading. This environment is no longer, and families are resulting to taking their children to the Dayton Library instead.

The comments heard at this meeting and the lack of the support received has been enough for me to lose any faith or trust I had left in the Library's Board of Trustees. To learn more or to get involved, please attend the next Friends of the Library meeting on October 24th, 2022, and/or email the Friends at folwellerlibrary@gmail.com. I also encourage you to attend the next Trustees meeting on October 11th, 2022, and/or email the Trustees at wellerpubliclibrary@gmail.com to share your thoughts. If you are like me and concerned for not only the future of our library, but the future of our community, please stand with me and let your voice be heard!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Cole

Waitsburg, WA