As I read David Shapiro’s column on the decline of Hawaii’s public libraries, I felt so sad (“Declining public libraries erode Hawaii’s civic soul,” Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, Nov. 15). I, like Shapiro, have spent many hours in community libraries because they are a safe and educational place. I am a big supporter of the libraries. I have read books at their story times, as well as had my sons participate in their summer reading programs.