Editorial

Taking away tools for life-long learning is short-sighted

by Ruth Isenberg

In some areas, people are working to take books they don’t approve of, and books about topics they don’t want talked about, off school library shelves. That isn’t the problem here.

We aren’t worrying about taking books off the shelves of our schools’ libraries; we’re taking shelves out of the libraries, and actually taking libraries out of the schools. We’re taking librarians out the schools.

Crestwood is the focus of attention right now, but Weatherly Area shares many of the same concerns about budgets, taxes and how to stretch funds to cover expenses. Cost-cutting targets include art and music programs, and books, libraries and librarians.

Whether you call the place students go to do research and learn outside their classrooms a library or a media center, the purpose is the same to provide resources for exploration and learning in greater depth. Helping students discover that they can broaden their understanding of their world and themselves through source materials, reference volumes, and literature, and that they can be in charge of their own further education throughout their lives, is one of the most valuable lessons schools can teach.

With the proliferation of social media memes, websites promoting misinformation, and questionable material created by both human and artificial-intelligence “authors,” students need guides to help them discern fact from fable. Teachers do some of this work, but they are stretched then as their numbers are also being reduced.

Cutting arts, music and library science hurts students. There’s no simple solution to meeting budget deficits, but elimination of programs that can teach them ways to enrich their whole lives should be a last resort, not the first one.

From The Journal-Herald Issue of May 27, 1993 Editors & Publishers Jay and Clara Holder

The Crestwood School Board approved a tentative budget of $14,702,894 with a five mill tax hike. School Board members also wrangled over the budget for Crestwood’s share of the Vo-Tech costs, and over repairing roofs at the elementary schools that are leaking.

Area whitewater rafting companies settled their lawsuit with Kidder Township, which had been ongoing since 1986, by making a lump sum payment.

Weatherly Borough Council member Clifford Weir wrote a letter that was reprinted in this newspaper, explaining that money used to repair the Little Red Footbridge and to buy American flags was raised from citizens and organizations and not taxpayer’s money.

A photo in this issue from Mother’s Day shows 22 children who made their first Holy Communion in Saint Patrick’s Church.

Editor Clara Holder wrote about this year’s JuniorSenior Prom held at the school gym in Weatherly.

A pull-out page to celebrate this weekend’s Saint Patrick’s Festival included a map, and had ad support.

The White Haven Ministerium bought a page for “A Call for Community Harmony” signed by ministers of seven churches and the chaplain at the White Haven Center.

This Friday to Sunday, the Mountain Laurel Resort hosts their Great American Country Festival, featuring Tom Wopat, singer and star from The Dukes of Hazzard.

Ed Gower reported that the Lions team beat the Firemen’s twice last week as the Lions team moves further atop the White Haven Area Sports league standings. Gower also submitted a report on the White Haven Babe Ruth team winning their first game of their early season.

Wagner Brothers has started their Weatherly Area Girls Softball Association season 3 – 0.

Contributor Pete Chapla wrote about a river rafting ride with Whitewater Challengers.

Ruth reviewed a very good Greek meal at East Stroudsburg’s Olympic Diner in this week’s dining column.

See ARCHIVES, page 3