While it would be nice if it weren’t so, modern fiscal realities require citizens to support public facilities like libraries. We have our priorities screwed up, but that’s an editorial for another day.

Generous benefactors have met 75 percent of the $9 million goal for building a new Madison Central Library.  It’s an impressive effort in these lean times. Now it’s up to the rest of us to seal the deal.

The remaining $2 million or so is the broader community’s share of the project. This is $50 and $100 gifts, and yes the $25 and $10 contributions as well that will add up, finish the capital campaign and give us all a little ownership of one of any community’s most important assets, its library.

Tripp Widder is the campaign chair and David Maraniss is the honorary chair and both have done the heavy lifting to get us this far.

We join them in asking for your support for building this important community center, open to all, for the benefit of all.