January 30, 2013 Neighbors In Support of the Athenaeum Staff Attention: Mary Jane Egerton Marianne Robotham 506

Tripp Lane 133 Commerce Street, Apt. 10 St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Lyndon Center, VT 05850 Dear Ms. Egerton and Ms. Robotham, I am writing on behalf of the Athenaeums trustees regarding the Neighbors In Support of the Athenaeum Staffs invitation to attend a citizens forum on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Over the past several weeks, we have explained to our patrons and the broader community our challenges, actions and responsibilities as stewards of the Athenaeum. Foremost among our responsibilities are ensuring fiscal viability, offering relevant services and programs, and preserving the Athenaeum as a cultural and educational center. We share the priority stated in your petition of January 12, 2013: to continue providing maximum library services for the good of the public. This priority, among others, guides us now and into the future. While we appreciate your concerns, the implementation of the reorganization is underway. A meeting to discuss forestalling our plans would not be productive; therefore, we respectfully decline your invitation. As we move forward, we will appreciate any help anyone can give us in preserving our treasured institution. We believe the community can help us in very tangible ways: public and personal financial support, volunteering, using the services, and communicating program ideas and preferences. We can envision future occasions, like our community forums held last summer, to explore how the community can be of further assistance. Sincerely,

William Marshall, Board Chair