Sharp
debate and lively discussion characterized the Community Forum's June 15th meeting,
when residents from South Bend's West Side, especially from the
neighborhoods surrounding LaSalle Square, were joined by supporters
from throughout the County in an effort to save the LaSalle Branch
Library.
debate and lively discussion characterized the Community Forum's June 15th meeting,
when residents from South Bend's West Side, especially from the
neighborhoods surrounding LaSalle Square, were joined by supporters
from throughout the County in an effort to save the LaSalle Branch
Library.
A number of key issues were addressed. Underlying the controversial proposal to close the LaSalle Branch are economic constraints faced by the Library system,
which reported a cut of over $1.2 million from its operating expenses
during the past 18 months and a projected loss in annual income by 2011
of over $2 million. Library Director Don Napoli identified the recent
property tax circuit breaker legislation as a central reason for the
financial shortfalls facing tax-supported institutions in Indiana.
Residents at the meeting questioned whether other sources of library
funds have been pursued. Numerous suggestions were offered and many
expressed a willingness to participate in such fundraising.
which reported a cut of over $1.2 million from its operating expenses
during the past 18 months and a projected loss in annual income by 2011
of over $2 million. Library Director Don Napoli identified the recent
property tax circuit breaker legislation as a central reason for the
financial shortfalls facing tax-supported institutions in Indiana.
Residents at the meeting questioned whether other sources of library
funds have been pursued. Numerous suggestions were offered and many
expressed a willingness to participate in such fundraising.
A second major focus concerned alternative methods of addressing the budget shortfall. For example, could different decisions about hours of operation for all branches result in keeping all
branches open? There was a clear sentiment for "sharing the pain"
rather than sacrificing one or two branches, especially branches
located in economically stressed neighborhoods. Participants were
adamant about the future of the LaSalle Square Branch. This
neighborhood, that has lost two neighborhood schools (LaSalle
H.S. and Kennedy Elementary — now both academies that local students
must test into), that qualifies as a "food desert" with plenty of fast
food restaurants but no local grocery store, that is still waiting for
the economic revitalization anticipated when the area was added to the
Airport TIF in 2007, is again being threatened with the loss of the
local public library.
branches open? There was a clear sentiment for "sharing the pain"
rather than sacrificing one or two branches, especially branches
located in economically stressed neighborhoods. Participants were
adamant about the future of the LaSalle Square Branch. This
neighborhood, that has lost two neighborhood schools (LaSalle
H.S. and Kennedy Elementary — now both academies that local students
must test into), that qualifies as a "food desert" with plenty of fast
food restaurants but no local grocery store, that is still waiting for
the economic revitalization anticipated when the area was added to the
Airport TIF in 2007, is again being threatened with the loss of the
local public library.
The third focus of questions and comments involved the criteria used by Library Administrators to justify the proposal to close the LaSalle Branch.
Mr. Napoli contended that the decision primarily was based on
circulation figures for the LaSalle Branch, as compared with other
branches. Questions were raised about the quality of the data that has
been collected as well as alternative ways of measuring the success of
a particular branch. There were also suggestions about methods of
improving circulation at the LaSalle Branch and in the library system
as a whole. For example, a question was raised about the number of
children without library cards. Lost books or fines (sometimes
resulting from the actions of adults in the child's life) can mean that
children are unable to borrow books and increase circulation. This was
an example of a contributing factor that should be investigated.
Despite Mr. Napoli's statement that he doesn't believe in surveys,
participants in the discussion advocated further investigation as to
why circulation has dropped at the LaSalle Branch.
Mr. Napoli contended that the decision primarily was based on
circulation figures for the LaSalle Branch, as compared with other
branches. Questions were raised about the quality of the data that has
been collected as well as alternative ways of measuring the success of
a particular branch. There were also suggestions about methods of
improving circulation at the LaSalle Branch and in the library system
as a whole. For example, a question was raised about the number of
children without library cards. Lost books or fines (sometimes
resulting from the actions of adults in the child's life) can mean that
children are unable to borrow books and increase circulation. This was
an example of a contributing factor that should be investigated.
Despite Mr. Napoli's statement that he doesn't believe in surveys,
participants in the discussion advocated further investigation as to
why circulation has dropped at the LaSalle Branch.
The June 18th editorial in the South Bend Tribune www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100618/OPINION/6180348 challenges all of us to "Think Outside the Books." We
agree. The struggle to save our libraries will take all of us working
in the way we best can contribute. The Community Forum for Economic
Development will surely do our part.
agree. The struggle to save our libraries will take all of us working
in the way we best can contribute. The Community Forum for Economic
Development will surely do our part.
What you can do right now……
1.
The Lincoln Way West Gateway Association has revised their 2006
petition to Save the LaSalle Branch Library. After all, they've done
this before!! Here is a copy of that petition.
Download Library Petition Please carry it
with you, talk with friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. about the
importance of accessible access to quality public libraries, and ask
them to sign the petition. When you complete petition sheets, you can
return them to our (CFED) mailing address and we will get them to the
LWW Gateway Association. Our address is P.O Box 11082, South Bend IN
46634.
The Lincoln Way West Gateway Association has revised their 2006
petition to Save the LaSalle Branch Library. After all, they've done
this before!! Here is a copy of that petition.
Download Library Petition Please carry it
with you, talk with friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. about the
importance of accessible access to quality public libraries, and ask
them to sign the petition. When you complete petition sheets, you can
return them to our (CFED) mailing address and we will get them to the
LWW Gateway Association. Our address is P.O Box 11082, South Bend IN
46634.
2. Here is a
list of Library Board members as well as the elected officials who
appointed each to the Library Board.
Download Library contacts Mr. Napoli does not make the
decision; he only recommends. The Library Board makes the decision.
They are not elected, but the people who appoint them are. Please
communicate your views with all of them. This contact list was also
provided by the LWW Gateway Association and focuses on the elected
officials who represent their neighborhoods. You can find contact
information for your elected representative at the League of Women Voters website, www.lwvsouthbend.org/. Click on Citizen's Guide.
list of Library Board members as well as the elected officials who
appointed each to the Library Board.
Download Library contacts Mr. Napoli does not make the
decision; he only recommends. The Library Board makes the decision.
They are not elected, but the people who appoint them are. Please
communicate your views with all of them. This contact list was also
provided by the LWW Gateway Association and focuses on the elected
officials who represent their neighborhoods. You can find contact
information for your elected representative at the League of Women Voters website, www.lwvsouthbend.org/. Click on Citizen's Guide.
3.
As the movement to save our libraries grows, there will be other
meetings and activities developed. We'll try to keep you informed.
Watch for more information!
As the movement to save our libraries grows, there will be other
meetings and activities developed. We'll try to keep you informed.
Watch for more information!