"Why don't we have a library, Mom?"

From a daughter's question some five years ago emerged a committee. Fueled by parental passion, Amy Kempton, Marilyn Genoa, Rosemarie Ryba, and Fran Sciarrino went to work. Along the way, I joined the effort, and then Rhonda Veros.

The eventual North Shore Citizens' Committee for Library Services provided the community an opportunity to decide for itself that no child in this community should have to ask that question again.

When the polls closed at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, a new age began for residents of the North Shore School District who live outside Sea Cliff. Eighty-two percent of 1762 participating voters created a public library district. They passed an initial budget by the same margin. They elected nine citizen volunteers as trustees, including Amy, Rosemarie and me, to go about the business of acquiring library services for this community.

Someday, hopefully soon, when a child gets to say: "Mom, take me to the library," I hope you remember that Marilyn, Fran and Rhonda deserve a great deal of thanks for making that possible.

Miles Sibell