Arundel approved $25,000 at its Town Meeting last week to fund a branding study for the town, but it was another vote that has already left an ugly, brand mark on the town.

With little discussion, voters decided last Wednesday to reject a $5,100 contribution toward the operating costs for the Kennebunk Free Library. The amount was already a significant reduction to the library’s request, which was originally set at $10,506.

Luckily, the Town of Kennebunk funds most of the library’s budget and did not decrease its requested appropriation this year, so the hit from Arundel is not expected to directly affect services.

But what a shame for a community to be without a library. Unlike many other small towns, Arundel doesn’t have its own, and it was 10 years ago, for fiscal year 2003, when the town decided to join up with the Kennebunk Free Library to offer its residents free access to the world of information a library can provide.

For students of any subject, young or old, the library is the place to learn, whether it’s through books, DVDs, historical documents and maps, or photograph collections. It’s the most affordable way to keep up with a growing reader, taking books home for storytime; and whether it’s real life or fiction you prefer, reading is a great way to increase your knowledge base, vocabulary and grammar skills, even while you’re at the beach.

Arundel patrons don’t need a card to use the library itself, but they won’t be able to check out books or other items beginning July 1 unless they pay the $35 card fee, according to library Director Jill E. LeMay.

The Kennebunk Free Library has 950 Arundel patrons right now, said LeMay ”“ that’s nearly a quarter of the town’s population, so there’s clearly interest. In contrast, only 73 voters showed up to vote at Town Meeting, making the decision for all of those library patrons and everyone else in town, who will now have to decide if they can afford the annual fee as a non-resident.

Arundel will have to work even harder now at “branding” itself as it goes forward. A library is an important community asset that helps to “sell” a community to businesses and families that might be looking to make a move. If residents thought a branding study was worth $25,000, they ought to have been willing to spring for the library, too, to give the town’s image a boost.

Hopefully the town residents will change their minds and recognize the value of providing equal library access for all during this past decade. These institutions are an indispensable bastion of a civilized people and a hub for equal access to enlightenment of all sorts. Arundel residents should not be denied that access.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski, representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.