By Steve Plunkett
More than a month before the new downtown library opened, the Friends of the Library started beating the drums for more money.
“Ours is a world-class city, and it is imperative that our libraries be world-class as well,” Susan Sosin, chairman of the Friends, wrote Mayor Susan Whelchel on April 29. “In order to accomplish this, there must be adequate funding to support the wonderful services that such libraries require.”
Sosin forwarded a copy of her letter to each member of the Friends.
“Write to the mayor and City Council today and express your concern for the future of our library as a valuable community service,” she told them. “Your voice matters in these critical times.”
The new library, which opened June 22, is more than double the size (at 41,932 square feet) of the 50-year-old facility it replaced. But the overall library budget has been cut 25 percent the past few years, Sosin noted.
“Although we are sure that the current dedicated staff will attempt to meet the challenge of extra patrons, extra programs and extra space that come with the larger facility, mathematically it doesn’t seem feasible,” Sosin wrote.
Whelchel said partnerships the library is pursuing will help it dollar-wise.
“It really is an attraction, as well as an educational and librarian opportunity,” she said. “I believe that they will soon find that people will step up to the plate for the necessary naming rights that will enhance the budget.”
City Councilwoman Constance Scott praised the design of the $9.5 million building.
“The open area is like the spine of a book. And when you visualize that and you look up and you see that, it really, truly gives you the visual that you’re in the middle of a book,” Scott said. “It is an extraordinarily beautiful facility.”
Each year the Friends of the Library donates more than $30,000 for programs, staff enrichment, research materials and equipment. The group also gave $250,000 for construction of the new facility.
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