I am a life-long fan of libraries and believe very strongly in the mission they serve in their communities.
I have been building my own house here, by hand, by myself, and while doing so I have had limited access to key resources to manage my business. During the past five years of constructing a home for myself Valley of the Tetons Library has served me in the following ways:
-Critical access to the internet when I had no internet connection at my property.
-Access to the wealth of information necessary to build my own home.
-Work space to complete the architectural drawings for my home when I had neither a desk nor an indoor space to put pencil to paper.
-Key elements for enriching my life in the form of books to read and movies to watch.
-Critical meeting room space where I could conduct zoom meetings for my business when I have had no indoor space of my own to utilize.
-Critical printing services when I need to print a document. Being able to print at the library means I don’t need to buy my own printer and generate all of the technology waste associated with consumer printers.
In addition to my own use of the libraries in Teton Valley, I have also witnessed how important these spaces are for the rest of the community. Most notably, I witness how many school age youth utilize the library as a safe space to learn and connect with peers after school.
I firmly believe that libraries are one of the most important services that any community can offer to its citizens and that a strong and vibrant library supports a connected, healthy, and thriving community.