So she drafted a petition opposing the cuts and circulated it throughout the school, collecting 100 signatures. She then sent it to state Rep. Bill Hartnett (D-Mansfield), a member of the legislature’s finance committee, urging government officials to keep funding libraries.
Impressed with Maxwell’s efforts, Hartnett paid a visit to St. Peter’s October 28 to present her with a certificate of commendation. “Ohio has the finest library system in the union and I see it as the perfect ally for improving education,” Hartnett said. “I’m not sure if Julia’s petition was the convincing factor, but I think anecdotes like hers are more important than the numbers we have to go through.”
Julia’s mother, Jen Maxwell, was present at the ceremony. “I’m really proud of her,” she said. “She came up with the idea herself and simply didn’t want to see libraries close.”
Posted November 4, 2005.