We often talk about the need for Selma to get hooked up to the rest of the world. What is the ideal definition of that?

How about an interstate running across Dallas County? That would connect us to the free-flowing commerce that is rolling through the nation. How about high-speed Internet service in every home?

It has been said before that the future of many towns is dependent upon fast communications (copper) and fast transportation routes (concrete). It’s called infrastructure and we are in need of an upgrade.

In time, we will see the upgrades and the progress. Large cities move quickly on these issues because they can. For smaller towns, such change comes slowly and the movement of such is similar to movement of tectonic plates. It happens gradually, almost going without notice.

Some movement took place recently when the Selma-Dallas County Library made its card catalog available on-line. The library is a popular place and one of Selma’s assets. It just got more valuable with this upgrade.

Users can now log on to the library’s Internet site and browse through the library’s card catalog. A user can see if a book has been checked out. Users can check on the availability of a new release.

This is a progressive move that makes our town more attractive. It’s a small thing, but something that adds value.

Just as important as the value of being able to visit the library’s card catalog from home, is the message that is being sent. We are saying that we are willing to be a part of the Internet revolution and willing to upgrade our facilities. We are willing to commit to staying modern and up-to-date.

Cities that don’t upgrade get left behind, and we don’t want to be one of those towns.