If you are among the confused or undecided about the Rockport Library vote, it's quite understandable. There has been a lot of going-back and forth, spiced with wisecracks that people are against change or that they don't favor a library for all, implications you can't miss and that probably trouble you. I know they bother me.

Of course, people who support keeping, expanding and improving our current library favor change, perhaps not the change others want. When has our library not been for all? Our library staff has seen to it that the library is for all and all Rockporters expect nothing less. Should be no confusion there.

Some two years ago, the Select Board wanted to sell the RES property on West Street, insisted it be income producing for the town and got the OK from townspeople to sell it. Now, the Select Board is recommending yes votes on articles 8 and 9, non-binding referendum questions designed to get community input. The Select Board is recommending what input you should give. No wonder you might feel confused.

During these economic hard times, does Rockport need, can the townspeople afford a 10,000- to 14,000-square-foot new construction project with an estimated price tag of $4 to $5 million, especially when a $20 million new elementary school is up next for tax dollars. Remember there's now a lot fewer education dollars coming from the state. Check out the bond articles on the ballot too. Rockporters are being asked to approve more debt. You're probably not confused about where the money will come from.

We have some choices to make and sensible alternatives are available for all to see. You have been told repeatedly for years now that it is not possible to expand on the current site. Think about it. The fact is we CAN expand on the current site. Building contractors and architects agree it can be done and that the buildings’ maintenance problems can be easily fixed.

Waldoboro, population 5,075, built a new 4,900-square-foot library for under $800,000. Union also just built a 4,000-square-foot library for around $600,000 to accommodate a population of 2,500, not counting the neighboring communities it also serves

What do we really need for a town the size of Rockport? What can we afford? Plan for the future: don't burden it with debt upon debt. If you are still undecided, please give these considerations due thought. Consider a sensible, affordable expansion of our current library right where it is, symbolically held high over our town. Please vote no on articles 8 and 9.

By the way, if you don't have a library card, consider getting one and consider joining the Friends of the Rockport Library and support its support of our town's library.

Paul G. Charbonneau lives in Rockport