Statement
before the Glenn A. Walsh
Council of the
City of
Carnegie Library’s Electronic Mail: <
gaw@andrewcarnegie.cc
>
Plan to Close Internet Site: < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc
>
Branch Libraries 2009
October 7
Good
morning. I am Glenn A. Walsh of
Since
last December, I have been warning you about Carnegie Library’s plans to close
branch libraries. Now, they finally have issued firm plans to close several
branches, and perhaps relocate a few of them.
Carnegie
Library has wanted to move the Mt. Washington Branch for years, then sell that
Grandview Avenue property for millions of dollars. City legislation requires
City Council to approve legal transfer of library properties to Carnegie
Library before any sale can occur. Let Carnegie Library know today that
the City will not transfer that property, or any library property, just so
Carnegie Library can make a financial windfall!
On
September 15, I was the guest speaker at the reopening of a Carnegie Library in
suburban Atlanta, which had been closed for 22 years! The Newnan, Georgia
Carnegie Library made history by being the first Carnegie Library building—and
probably the first library building of any type—to close, be reused for another
purpose (as a courthouse annex), then converted back to library service!
If
they can reopen their library after 22 years, then certainly we could reopen
library branches once the economy improves.
Today,
I ask that you demand that Carnegie Library consider all library closures as
temporary and provide you a written plan to reopen closed libraries once the
economic conditions improve. Such a plan should include a requirement that, at
annual budget hearings, Carnegie Library make written justification to the
City, as well as to the RAD Board, why each branch must remain closed.
Do
not allow Carnegie Library to proceed with these library closings as
permanent.
Thank
you.
gaw