Beth Girshman: Well-funded library services part of what makes America great

I am stunned at the potential losses for library services throughout Massachusetts with the proposed elimination/reductions in federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Public and academic libraries provide essential research, information and recreational reading materials to millions of Americans. Shared borrowing of library materials as well as shared costs for informational databases means that all Americans can access the full breadth of educational opportunities.

Although a tiny portion of Massachusetts library budgets, federal funding helps ensure that even the smallest towns can have libraries that are part of a network that can borrow almost any book, from anywhere in the commonwealth.

The tax dollars we all send to the federal government helps support public services, such as libraries, schools, roads, and parks. Services such as these are part of what makes America great. Support federal funding of libraries and museums. Let your representatives know.

Beth Girshman

Conway