As a regular library user, I’m writing to congratulate the library system on the remodeled Kirkland branch and don’t understand with Mr. Jared’s assertion that it is mis-utilized and underutilized. He doesn’t say how it is mis-utilized and the fact that the library was so crowded that the job became necessary makes one wonder how it could be underutilized. There probably was no good time to do the remodel, but from my observation, the library was busiest during the school year when students needed it the most, so the summer closure made perfect sense. (Maybe someone from the library could clear this up?) The library system is ours – we pay taxes for it. Mr. Jared’s suggestion that bookstores and Blockbuster would do a better job running the library is unfortunate. Bookstores have been going out of business all over the country and many observers have wondered if Blockbuster will be around in 10 years. Benjamin Franklin had it right – public libraries are public institutions and public assets.

On graying, it isn’t just Kirkland. It’s the entire developed world. It is rather new to see senior communities in downtown areas, but Bellevue also has one. It’s about a block from the library.

Bob Thompson, Kirkland