June 24, 2004

ValleyViewpoints

Room in library should be named for Doris Dillon

Editor,
As an Almaden Valley Community Association board member I recently read Bob Boydston’s article for this issue of the Almaden Times Weekly regarding the proposed name change to the Almaden Branch Library and would like
to voice my concerns about several points in the article. I would like to point out that:

- The Board of Directors of AVCA made it a strong motion that the Children’s Reading Room be named after Doris Dillon. It passed unanimously.

- The New Almaden Mines began in 1845 and lasted until 1976. The ore never ran out. The price of mercury went from $750 [for] a 76 pound flask of mercury in 1970 to only $200 a flask by 1975. Thus the company, New Idria, could not afford to keep producing mercury and sold the property to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department.

- Almaden is a very sophisticated and clever name and we should be insulted by the president of the Almaden Valley Community Association to say it is not so.

It takes individuals to make a difference. Naming certain items, places and monuments after individuals who have performed exceptional, meaningful changes in the reading habits of children throughout the Almaden Valley is part of the American Way. Yes, groups have done much for this valley, but we are talking about a library. Doris Dillon gave her life to instill the love of READING in young children. The Almaden Library became popular because of her joy in creating reading opportunities for the young in our valley. Naming a room after her in the Almaden Valley Library would give great impetus to others to follow her example and create opportunities for reading for young persons.

Kitty Monahan
New Almaden
Board member AVCA