Let it not be said that young people do not take an interest in local affairs and events. Being a student at Starkville High School, I think that local affairs like the state of downtown Starkville affect everyone who lives in Starkville, whether they like going downtown or not. During the changes of the recent years, one of the few places that has remained unchanged is the  Starkville Public Library, and more people should enjoy this fun place for all age groups. I feel that the state of downtown Starkville is slowly becoming less and less of the downtown I remember from even two years ago, when my friends and I would go for ice cream at the Book Mart and Café, or get a hot chocolate from 929. Neither of these locations exist anymore, nor do Occasions or Proof: A Bakery, and though many of these have been replaced by other local businesses, we are well on our way to having a downtown devoid of anything but boutiques, law offices, and architectural firms. This means we will have no place for the youth of this generation like myself to congregate outside of school.

It is at times like this that our public library and the good people who run it become more important than ever. The library, which was built in 1967, has long offered much more than just books, it has been a staple of the downtown area and something that everyone has fond memories of. It is a hangout for everyone from 2 years old to 92 years old. Since the closing of the Book Mart, the only other areas to get a book are the library on campus which would take business away from Main Street businesses and which is inaccessible to all but students and staff at MSU. There is also Barnes and Noble, which despite being a bookshop is mostly dedicated to the sale of merchandise for the university and would again take business away from main street businesses. The library is near enough downtown that people would think, after getting their books, “Hmm, It’s lunch time. Let’s go to the Starkville Café.” The library also offers family movie nights, children’s programs, and board games to play, or for older people there is a consistently updated collection of newspapers.

To summarize, the library is an essential part of our community, and it is one of the main things holding a rapidly changing Downtown area together. It should be supported and visited more. If you have never visited the library or have visited it once and thought it wasn’t for you, I recommend giving it a second look, it may surprise you, and be sure to check out their events calendar.

Rex O’Neill

Starkville