30 Fairmont Park Lane S
Lethbridge, AB
T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1704
Monday, December 15, 2003
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge
AB, T1J 3Z7
Dear Editor:
Several readers have rebuked City Council for spending 3 million dollars on library system expansion.
Any decision on information facilities should account for the material and energy saving capability of the Internet. Information in this virtual library is extremely comprehensive and easily found. Students are already making extensive use of it as an alternative to traditional brick, mortar and paper libraries.
On 2002 June 17 Council voted on behalf of the city to support ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Prime Minister Martin has retained Environment Minister Anderson, the Chrétien cabinet’s most devout disciple of Kyoto, in his revised cabinet. Perhaps Council should consider this a signal they may actually be held to account for their Kyoto support.
Council will need to proactively conserve resources and reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions if they are to meet their Kyoto commitment. The decision to proceed with the construction and operation of an additional traditional library should be reconsidered. A potential win, win, win, win alternative for the environment, students, taxpayers, and existing library facilities is being overlooked.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast