Letter: about library from Elizabeth Lawinger

Small towns like Gallatin Missouri are a blessing. They help make up the fabric that is our country. They provide a quieter pace, closer knit relationships, and a sense of home. They also face distinct hurdles, especially in today’s world, including urban migration, social isolation, decreased community funding, and the potential for narrowing diversity of views and information. The aforementioned hurdles can leave residents feeling at a loss for opportunities, for entertainment, and for personal growth.

We have been incredibly blessed in our county to have a shining beacon against this stagnation. The Daviess County Library has long been a strong and steadfast resource for our community and the surrounding towns. In striving to uphold its stated mission of “the provision and servicing of selected books and other materials which aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information or research, and in the creative use of leisure time” the firm foundation of our library’s history has flourished and bloomed under the leadership and efforts of Ms. Allison Spidle.

Over the last 18 months, the Daviess County Library has vibrated with a renewed energy, expanded in scope and breadth of programming, and truly become a hub of information and entertainment for community members of ALL ages and abilities. With her leadership, the library staff and she have been able to procure additional grant funding and have tapped into new and diverse programming to expand the library’s appeal (early literacy programming, NASA camp). They have also expanded the utilization of the library’s location as a community resource, expanding its programming to include greater opportunities for networking and socialization while participants could learn a new skill (bridge club, community gardens, establishment as a breastfeeding friendly location).  Additionally, the Daviess County Library has expanded its electronic footprint with weekly pre-reading music videos and student interviews—reaching additional patrons and expanding the public’s awareness of the library’s amazing opportunities. And I am only referencing a small cross-section of the library’s astounding resources and services!

As a parent of four children, and the wife of an educator, I have never felt more welcomed, more informed, more supported as a patron, or as excited for what the library held as I have over the last couple of years. I firmly believe this is the result of the efforts and energies of Allison Spidle!

Additional hurdles that small towns like Gallatin can face are entrenchment in tradition, and complacency of many behind the views/opinions of a stronger/louder voice. Also, stubbornness when faced with confessing a transgression.

I fear our community may have fallen victim to these last few pitfalls in regards to the care, respect, and support of our Library Director. When we are blessed to have such an intelligent, motivated, caring, strong, and grounded director, as we did in Allison Spidle, we MUST protect, support, defend, encourage and foster that director’s role. We must circle the wagons and defend them, we must raise them up to be seen, we must shout their praises and recognize their efforts and successes.

I pray we can learn from our mistakes. I pray we can grow as a community in light of this tragic and painful loss. I wish we could make amends and regain Allison as our director. Alas, if the last one cannot be achieved, we as a community must make the personal and institutional changes necessary to ensure that the Daviess County Library does not fall short again, and that we as the Gallatin community do not allow ourselves to become victims of the typical small town shortcomings.

In closing, I fully support Allison Spidle in what she has done for our community. I stand in awe of her. She is clothed in strength and dignity. I hope our library and community can recover from the loss of her as director. I pray for her continued success, growth, and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Lawinger

211 W. Johnson St.

Gallatin, MO 64640

816-806-7038