To The Daily: The opinion article by Wayne Holliday concerning the Decatur Public Library pointed out the sad history of funding for the library. Our public officials go to considerable effort to lure new businesses and families to Decatur, but the poor funding of the library sends a different message to the management of the companies that would provide good-paying jobs.

A library is an integral part of the educational and intellectual life of a community. What does it say about Decatur and Morgan County to have a library so underfunded for so long? Is a city that can't afford a decent library the kind of place where these families would want to live? A good library is just as important as sports facilities and jogging trails when quality of life matters.

Willis R. Bynum

Decatur