Comments on: Library Bond Moves Toward Nov. 6 Ballot

By: Peter Baker

Peter Baker — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:05:41 +0000

“This may be somewhat useful now but not for long, all magazines will be e-format only in three to five years. PC magazine all ready is and Newsweek is planning to shift.”

PC Magazine is NOT e-reader only, and Newsweek is not planning to. I don’t know where you got the notion that “all magazines” will not be printed in only 3-5 years, but that is rubbish.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 23:18:36 +0000

At the existing downtown library about 1,000 square feet are taken up by shelving and walk around space for current magazines. This may be somewhat useful now but not for long, all magazines will be e-format only in three to five years. PC magazine all ready is and Newsweek is planning to shift. By the time the new White Elephant is done, there will be no need for current magazine space or reference space (Britannica has died) or stack space. Perhaps Starbucks will step in. Conversion of library space to food and drinks space is all ready happening at the downtown library, they have put in drinks vending machines and snacking tables on the second floor. Could someone ask why the taxpayers should pay “degreed” “professionals” 150K to manage a soda pop hangout space?

By: Lyn Davidge

Lyn Davidge — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:09:08 +0000

Indeed, the VISION/VOTE paper on the AADL website simply lists a “Friends Shop in the Lobby.” That seems to imply something considerably smaller than the current Friends Bookshop in the basement. One could easily describe the single book truck with Friends’ books for sale sitting near the West Branch circ. desk as a “Friends shop in the lobby.” And the reply, mentioning “space intended for their use” sheds no light on the issue. Generic “space intended” might be of any size.

As to David’s reference to “favored nation status”, I wouldn’t call it that at all. It’s my understanding that the Friends provide money for a variety of operational and enhancement activities that might otherwise need to be covered by the operational millage. And anyone who has ever seen the Friends Book Shop knows that the accomodations are hardly posh! I don’t begrudge them one inch of the space, and I think the location within the Downtown library (with those book trucks or reserved shelves at the branches) is ideal!

This is but one example I’ve noticed where plans for a potential new building are a bit too vague for my comfort. But that’s for comment under a different topic.

By: David Diephuis

David Diephuis — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:28:03 +0000

@1..A similar question was asked on the Library’s website in THE VISION/THE VOTE comment area.

Josie Parker, the Director of the AADL answered it this way:

“The FAADL Board does make all decisions about their bookshop. There is space intended for their use in the proposed downtown library.”

I think her point being that while the Friends of the AADL could choose to move elsewhere the Library is expecting they will remain and a spot is being held for them. I have no information about size of the area, or any agreements between those two parties, or whether the FAADL Board feels the size being held would meet their needs. If you have other information I think many of us would love to hear it.

The FAADL seems to provide financial benefits as well as other tangible and intangible benefits to the Library and the community.

But, whether the FAADL should have a “favored nation” status within the library and have their space paid for by taxpayer money is another question. Perhaps, the FAADL could contribute even more to the Library system in a different and bigger location.

By: sheila rice

sheila rice — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:52:57 +0000

In the list of amenities for the new library there is no mention of the very popular Friends Book Shop, only of a Friends Shop. It sounds as though there may not be space planned for this popular feature of the existing library