LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Library changes good

I’d like to address concerns about recent renovations at Mullins Library on the University of Arkansas campus. Students have repeatedly chosen Mullins Library as the best place to study on campus in Arkansas Traveler polls.

News on library renovations has focused on the new collaborative spaces created. However, students still need quiet study space. The renovations address both needs.

Large tables replaced partitioned tables on the upper floors. Students use these for individual and group study as needed. The partitioned tables on the first floor provide more space within the stacks for study. There are two quiet reading rooms on the second level and quiet study spaces throughout the first, third and fourth levels.

Areas where book stacks were removed were designed for diverse uses and include movable furniture and white boards to accommodate overflow from the four very popular group-study rooms.

Trained librarians moved books no longer relevant to current campus programs to other areas, including off-site storage, which happens in all libraries as collections grow and change. Materials moved into storage include journal back files which are available online, along with a few outdated titles in technology and computer science. These books remain in circulation.

The libraries strive to keep pace with the information needs of their patrons.

CAROLYN H. ALLEN

Fayetteville

Carolyn H. Allen is dean of libraries at the University of Arkansas.

Obama is not needed

Re the recent letter that claimed that the U.S. needs Barack Obama: Although Obama may be a smart person, I disagree with the assertion that “he knows how to create jobs.” Where are the facts supporting this assertion? We have had over 8 percent unemployment for most of his administration. And, in my opinion, he has no solution, other than increasing government workers, to change this percentage.

On the other hand, Mitt Romney has created thousands of jobs by rescuing failing companies.

At least Romney has a record he can run on, contrary to the record Obama had (none) when he ran in 2008.

JOANNE FROEMMING Hot Springs Village

Humble and graceful

I recently had an opportunity to hang out with Darren McFadden for two days as we traveled around Arkansas on a promotional tour for Sooey Sauce. Darren is the two-time Heisman Trophy finalist who set rushing records for the Razorbacks in football and is now about to set records for the Oakland Raiders this fall.

We traveled to little towns such as Batesville, Mountain Home, White Hall and Benton, and the Razorback Nation showed up to meet Darren, who was warmly embraced by hundreds of autograph seekers.

During that two-day period I was able to observe the humble, downto-earth and graceful character of Darren McFadden. I watched him sign over 1,500 autographs without a complaint. It was clear to me that Darren loves his fans and they love him. I think Arkansas is very lucky to have a representative like Darren.

Now I am D. Mac’s biggest fan as I plan to watch every game the Oakland Raiders play this season. Good luck, Darren.

DUGAN KING

Little Rock

Fear imperiling party

The Arkansas Democratic Party seems to be gripped by fear of those who supported John Wolfe. Led by poor lawyers and influenced by bad advice from Washington, D.C., they are letting themselves be driven to minority status in all but a few counties of the state. Here in Desha County, we had a turnout of over 32 percent for the Democratic primary.

Fear paralyzes while courage and truth strengthen. As Arkansas Democrats, we express regret at the actions of the undemocratic elite in Little Rock.

BILL CONWAY McGehee

Bill Conway is chairman of the Desha County Democratic Committee.

For cleaner highways

Re Greg Johnston’s recent letter about highway and roadside trash: Twenty years serving his country/ county. Why stop now?

Gripe about something in the military and you just volunteer for a detail. Remember field striping and picking up cigarette butts? Adopt a mile or two of highway and the highway department will install two nice blue signs with your organization’s name, which shows up nicely even at night. Contact a teacher or coach for the names of a couple of juniors or seniors to help with the pickup and pay them a few bucks. Two miles will take less than two hours. Civics—there might be a message in there somewhere. Pick up four times a years or more at your discretion. The county supervisor will provide orange safety vests and plenty of collection bags. You may even get a letter from the department director for the state.

One two-mile stretch in Woodruff County, west of McCrory, has been adopted over 20 years, and it looks cleaner and better year after year.

Johnston’s military service for over 20 years is noted and appreciated. Why stop now? He can be sure his community will notice and his helpers will gain something, too.

VES PANKEY

McCrory

Columnists and nuts

Harold Hicks was right on one thing in his recent letter. John Brummett is not like Gene Lyons; Lyons told the truth about the Republican Tea Party. I wish they would bring him back. He was not soft on the Tea Party the way Brummett is.

It’s just too bad they kept a clown like Mike Masterson. He does not get his facts right. He seems to get his material out of fairy tales, comic strips and television cartoons.

So the next time someone says Barack Obama stole the election, they are really referring to George W. Bush and his brother, Jeb, plus the Supreme Court, in my opinion.

If we put the Republicans back in charge, then we have sold our country to the nutjobs who send our jobs overseas. Go ahead. Put Republicans in charge again—you will deserve everything you get. Keep thinking and believing that trickle-down economics works. It doesn’t.

BENJAMIN FREEMAN

North Little Rock

Really spread wealth

While reading the paper, I had an idea. What would the response be if the Arkansas Lottery tried a new program offering more winners and better winning odds by a “spread the wealth” program and lowering the winning amounts to $250,000 for each winner?

If the lottery total was $18 million, pick 72 winners and give each $250,000; less taxes due. This would benefit more people by giving 72 people extra money to spend in place of a single winner.

That many people with extra money would be better for all business and should create an interest for more lottery tickets and more money for scholarships.

WILLIAM HOLMAN

Little Rock