I had to do several double takes when I read your article "Technology Upgrade is Top Educational Need at St. Ignace" [The St. Ignace News, March 25], in which the public school officials are attempting to justify a new property tax assessment to buy computers for the students. The article goes on to mention that the school library has been closed because of lack of funds.

As someone who happens to have a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and has spent much of his life in the education field, it is going to come as a surprise to those school officials to learn that computers have very little to do with education, but libraries have everything to do with education.

I realize the students spend a lot of time on video games and so playing with computers at school comes naturally to them, however, that does not justify occupying school time with more button pushing.

I can program in six different languages, including IBM Assembler, but have only taken one computer course. The St. Ignace students can learn enough to get a start in computers by taking one class, and then studying on their own. They can use the computers at the St. Ignace Public Library.

Please be advised that the Internet is not a substitute for the library. Looking up superficial information on the Internet does not educate anybody. What does educate somebody is studying mathematics, history, languages, science, philosophy, economics, and music. When you get done, you have hopefully learned how to think, a skill somewhat lacking in society.

My suggestion would be to take the new tax money and use it to operate a school library, and to buy the appropriate books, especially the Great Books.

The High School English teacher, a Ms. Schacht, is quoted in your article is saying, "Just because students are typing on a computer doesn't change the critical thinking required." This is the most intelligent sentence in your article. Ms. Schact should be your superintendent.

We have all read surveys that show that recent high school graduates can't multiple and divide numbers without using a calculator. In regard to history, most of them have never even heard of George Washington. In regard to geography, most cannot point to Canada or Mexico on a map. And so on.

Closing the school library and substituting computers will just make things worse.

Bruce F. Caswell

Dearborn