Charles Beck of Maine Public Radio (BDN, Nov. 17) uses an imperfect analogy in comparing public radio to a public library. When music books are checked out less often than mysteries, the library does not throw away the music books. They remain on the shelf for the pleasure and education of a minority.

As long-standing, day-long listeners and annual contributors of a significant gift to MPB, we protest the decision to throw away the opera and to refer us to WBACH for classical music. Since the announcement of program changes, we have driven throughout Orono and Old Town trying to receive WBACH. Only on the highest points in town do we receive a signal which fades in and out. In our home at 106.9, only one FM radio picks up a signal and that is Z107.

We have rolled with the many changes since Robert J. Lurtsema retired. Dave Bunker is precious to our mornings. The opera is equally precious to our Saturday afternoons, as is the Sunday evening organ music. Beck claims he is not trying “to find programs that appeal to large numbers.” The opera is one of those. But with its modern technology (to which we have made our financial contributions) MPR should be able to split their signal giving northern Maine the opera while southern Maine enjoys its choice of talk shows or WBACH.

Stanley Freeman

Madeleine Freeman

Orono