As much as it pains me to support the reduction of amenities nearby, it seems like the cost of and apparent realistic impossibility of upgrading the current South Branch to be ADA compliant is a perfect reason to close it. The city certainly doesn't have the funds to upgrade it or find a new location. The location is terrible - bad parking and pretty run down. I support the idea of seeing if a small part of the Levy Center could serve as a remote location for book pickup and dropoff, and a reading room.
The north branch seems well used but if it's in need of significant renovation, as I've heard, then sell the property, establish some kind of a small book drop in north Evanston and focus on the main library, which is spacious and inviting for kids and adults alike.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 5:59am.
The bookmobile is a great idea, but it is difficult for people who need to request specific items (as many users of book mobiles do not use computers or the Internet). I would recommend models used by other cities in which the branch libraries become specialized; for example, the North Branch could become a Reference Library and the South Branch would be a Career Info. Center. The focus becomes the services provided (and the librarians who would retain their jobs) and not the collections. These buildings would cost less to maintain and the librarians will not have to face unemployment in these difficult economic times.
Submitted by Jason Hays on Thu, 11/27/2008 - 8:07pm.
I disagree with your solution (which seems to solve none of the logistical/expense issues involved with the branch libraries.)
If the bookmobile has a regular "route", patrons can request items to be delivered the following day/week/time that it arrives. If someone needs materials more urgently, I believe a phone call to the main library would be sufficient to get it included in the bookmobile's next run. No computer or internet required!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/28/2008 - 10:14am.
"If the bookmobile has a regular "route", patrons can request items to be delivered the following day/week/time that it arrives. If someone needs materials more urgently, I believe a phone call to the main library would be sufficient to get it included in the bookmobile's next run. No computer or internet required!"
Jason -- I agree with your points about a bookmobile and want to go one step further. If someone truly needs something urgently -- maybe cannot wait for the next regular run -- why is it a hardship for them to go to the Main Branch Library? If you take a look on a mapping program, the Main Library is only 3.4 miles from the far southwest corner of town by the mall on Howard Street (10 minutes); and only 3.1 miles from the far northwest corner, adjacent to Starbucks on Central and Crawford (9 minutes). We are just not that large a community.
Why are we taking such great pains to maintain branch libraries for limited areas and populations when we are not able to (probably should not) extend that service to the entire community?
An earlier writer made the point about having a user fee for the branches. I think that would be a much more equitable way of providing the service, rather than having everyone in town subsidizing the costs for those who are actually able to access the branches easily and use them. It would seem that our current budget issues would demand it.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 2:18pm.
Close the branch libraries and bring back the book mobile. The main library could be so much better if the dollars used to support the branches were used to upgrade the collections, etc.
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As much as it pains me to support the reduction of amenities nearby, it seems like the cost of and apparent realistic impossibility of upgrading the current South Branch to be ADA compliant is a perfect reason to close it. The city certainly doesn't have the funds to upgrade it or find a new location. The location is terrible - bad parking and pretty run down. I support the idea of seeing if a small part of the Levy Center could serve as a remote location for book pickup and dropoff, and a reading room.
The north branch seems well used but if it's in need of significant renovation, as I've heard, then sell the property, establish some kind of a small book drop in north Evanston and focus on the main library, which is spacious and inviting for kids and adults alike.
The bookmobile is a great idea, but it is difficult for people who need to request specific items (as many users of book mobiles do not use computers or the Internet). I would recommend models used by other cities in which the branch libraries become specialized; for example, the North Branch could become a Reference Library and the South Branch would be a Career Info. Center. The focus becomes the services provided (and the librarians who would retain their jobs) and not the collections. These buildings would cost less to maintain and the librarians will not have to face unemployment in these difficult economic times.
I disagree with your solution (which seems to solve none of the logistical/expense issues involved with the branch libraries.)
If the bookmobile has a regular "route", patrons can request items to be delivered the following day/week/time that it arrives. If someone needs materials more urgently, I believe a phone call to the main library would be sufficient to get it included in the bookmobile's next run. No computer or internet required!
"If the bookmobile has a regular "route", patrons can request items to be delivered the following day/week/time that it arrives. If someone needs materials more urgently, I believe a phone call to the main library would be sufficient to get it included in the bookmobile's next run. No computer or internet required!"
Jason -- I agree with your points about a bookmobile and want to go one step further. If someone truly needs something urgently -- maybe cannot wait for the next regular run -- why is it a hardship for them to go to the Main Branch Library? If you take a look on a mapping program, the Main Library is only 3.4 miles from the far southwest corner of town by the mall on Howard Street (10 minutes); and only 3.1 miles from the far northwest corner, adjacent to Starbucks on Central and Crawford (9 minutes). We are just not that large a community.
Why are we taking such great pains to maintain branch libraries for limited areas and populations when we are not able to (probably should not) extend that service to the entire community?
An earlier writer made the point about having a user fee for the branches. I think that would be a much more equitable way of providing the service, rather than having everyone in town subsidizing the costs for those who are actually able to access the branches easily and use them. It would seem that our current budget issues would demand it.
Why was there no option in the survey to close the branches and stop the completely unnesessary expense?
Reply:
See options 4 and 5.
--Bill
Close the branch libraries and bring back the book mobile. The main library could be so much better if the dollars used to support the branches were used to upgrade the collections, etc.
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