Published: May 15, 2008 11:15 am         

Library director thanked for council presentation

I wanted to express what a delightful and educational presentation on the Allegany County Library System Director John Taube provided for the Cumberland City Council meeting. I was blown away. What a professional and effective slide show - and, what a fascinating and creative array of services our public libraries are offering.

I found myself thinking (to borrow from an old advertisement), "This isn't your father's library system any more!"

Having lived in South End much of my life, I just about grew up in the old South Cumberland library down on Virginia Avenue. I can still vividly recall the librarians and how helpful they were, the layout of the library, and many, many vignettes of the time I spent there. Among other things, my library experience fostered a love for books and reading that continues to this day.

Because our council meeting had such a full agenda that evening, we weren't able to adequately marvel over what we had just seen! I wanted to take this opportunity to express these feelings publicly. For more information and an enlightening experience, let me direct the Times-News readers to the library system's free newsletter - Alle Update (available at each library), and to their Web site at www.alleganycountylibrary.info.

The system has really blossomed under your leadership, John. Thanks for the great job you're doing for the benefit of all our citizens.

Butch Hendershot
Cumberland City Council member