Local Child Asks Obama to Save Her Library

By Kevin Robinson in News on Aug 20, 2009 4:20PM

In what may be the most adorable publicity stunt this week, eight year old Shawna Lewis of Robbins, Illinois, stood in front of the village library Tuesday to ask President Barack Obama to help keep her public library open.

"Please help us," she said. "I read and write and use the computer here every day. This is an emergency. I know you are very busy, but please don't let our library in Robbins, Illinois, close. Bail us out."

The library needs about $70,000 to avoid closure. Village Mayor Irene Brodie said that she's struggling to keep Robbins running, a municipality where one third of the population lives below the national poverty level. "Could you give me suggestions?" she said. "I'm not trying to be funny. I'm struggling to keep the village open." Library staff say without help, the library will close at the end of the month, just as school is starting.