Libraries are places full of boundless dreams, aspirations, and potential. For the past five years, our grammar schools have had no functioning libraries. We have new books, but like a bowl of soup without a spoon, they are barely useful.

Our children deserve more. They deserve access to knowledge, access to a world beyond their textbooks, access to the life-shaping encounters that only libraries can harvest. However, this fundamental educational right is drastically compromised due to the lack of librarians in our grammar school libraries.

Statistics depict a grim reality - a study by the American Association of School Librarians has found that schools with full-time, certified librarians demonstrate higher student achievement and improved literacy. We are losing a generation of readers in our schools

Now is the time for change. We are appealing to our city officials to recognize the importance of investing in our youth, which unequivocally means investing in libraries and librarians. The power of a librarian in cultivating the minds of our students cannot be understated, and it is critical to ensure that every child, regardless of their socio-economic status, has a fair shot at forging their own destiny.

Therefore, strengthen our children's right to knowledge and opportunity. Let's elevate our community. Sign this petition to demand our city officials allocate necessary funding towards hiring librarians for all our Methuen grammar school libraries.