'Backing strong for new library," read the Monitor headline on June 6, "270 residents petition councilors." The article goes on to include quotes about how "absolutely crucial" it is for a community to support its library.

I couldn't agree more about the value of a library. But I would argue that adequately supporting our existing library is just as important - if not more so - than building a new one years from now. If we start turning citizens away from the library now, there will be fewer citizens that will even care about a new library in the future.

For the second consecutive year, Concord Public Library (the main library and the Penacook branch) is facing cutbacks in existing services. The proposed city manager's budget cuts library services, staff, materials and operating hours. The children's room and reference services would be effected. Fewer books and other media would be purchased. Library meeting rooms would no longer be available.

The reduced hours of operation will be the fewest hours the library has been open since the 1940s. Monday and Wednesday would be the only nights the library is open, making it more difficult for students and many adults to use the library. This is neither how you support a precious community-building resource nor how to serve citizens who need the library now more than ever.

There have been many recent news articles about how today's difficult times are leading to more people depending on their library for job hunts, information, free entertainment and other services. It is counterproductive to have a library full of resources, while reducing hours and the public's access to those resources.

There is a final hearing on the city budget June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the city council chambers on Green Street. Residents who want to speak up about library cuts, or any other part of the city budget, should attend.

(Rick Watrous lives in Concord.)