EDITOR: This city has been in dire need of improving its
library. There have been some strides made in that we have had the
computers installed and various measures have been taken to keep up
with the times, so to speak.
EDITOR:
This city has been in dire need of improving its library. There have been some strides made in that we have had the computers installed and various measures have been taken to keep up with the times, so to speak.
However, in a city which makes such a supreme effort to create a community/cultural center, the fact that the library still has not been increased in size in all the years that RDA funds have been available is not one to be proud of. Even worse than that is the fact that now, when it is rumored that a site is being determined – it is one which simply will not do.
I can appreciate the fact that Rocke Garcia wants to get that wonderful little piece of urban blight off of his hands, but not at the cost of the library or its users. The lot at Depot and Third streets that Mr. Garcia is trying to sell the city is one which would do the library little good.
First of all, we have a parking problem at the existing library. The development plan which Mr. Garcia is putting forward will do nothing but worsen that problem. To have four restaurants, the library and housing units all use the same smallish lot? It makes absolutely no sense.
Secondly, putting a library there so close to the train tracks doesn’t seem too sensible to one who has been a parent. What child can pass up the chance to walk along the railroad, hoping for a train to come by? Children can be hurt walking the rails on any day they’re near them … so why put them in that position without sufficient supervision to keep them safe? Librarians are supposed to supervise in the library … not across the street.
While on the subject of safety … let’s consider the proximity of the train station and the park-and-ride lot. With kids coming in and out and little, if any, supervision it would be an ideal spot for kids to get hurt by folks hurrying to catch a train or to get home. I’m not even going to address the potential for our children being picked up by strangers.
Who in their right mind would try to smash residential units, a library and restaurants all onto that site? The site now is used for overflow parking from various restaurants, the farmers market, the karate studio. I’ve parked there myself upon occasion.
Why put the library down in a hole? By the railroad tracks? The lumberyard? What need? It has a beautiful, peaceful location as it is. What needs to be done is to use the land that the city already owns up there and to develop it more fully. Why spend money buying land when you already have it?
I’ve been told that there are plans to remove the little museum to the grounds of the Morgan House. That frees up more space. I’ve heard it said that building up there on the hill is expensive … doesn’t seem too expensive for the expansion that the city’s done on their own side of the lot. If building on the hilly section is too daunting, then use that portion as a parking lot and increase the size of the existing library. Blow out the back walls and extend it up and into the current parking lot.
We have many bright minds in this city. People just have to stop feeling afraid to use them. They need to know that their thoughts will be taken seriously by their City Council. They need to feel that their City Council is above special interest issues. What they need to see is that the City Council can look at a problem and actually solve it in a logical fashion. That does not mean fact finding missions/studios when logic will do.
This problem has been before you for many, many years. You have had plenty of time to think about this and solicit information, advice, knowledge. You have used up almost all of the RDA funds. Again. This is the bottom of the 9th and there are two outs already. Is the library going to lose? Again?
Prove the ‘naysayers’ wrong. Do the right thing. And do it now.
Peggy Lloyde Talbot,
Morgan Hill
