For decades, the small, nondescript building in Lawrence burst with activity. Children finding new books. Adults joining dynamic programming. An enthused, nurtured staff eager to help. 

"I always called it the little library that could," Carolynn Matulewicz told me, as we sat recently in Peninsula Public Library's children's section.

But Peninsula is no longer the little library with a jolly load, bringing books and puzzles to young children with smile and cheer.

Where new books should be, there are empty shelves. Carts are stacked with returns without enough staff to file them. Employees and residents, including Matulewicz, are sad, angry and worried for the future.

Matulewicz grew up in Lawrence, where Peninsula was her home library. She loved the "Madeline" books and reading became her passion. She raised her children there, and they, too, visited Peninsula.

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After eight years as Peninsula's children's librarian,........

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