Library Madness

On the heels of all the condemnation of Superior for failing to fund it's use of Louisville's new public library comes two public library stories that add to the convoluted discussion. Here are the original remarks and links on this post.

The first story is that Erie will have a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, December 9, 11:00 AM, for the Erie Community Library. It is located at the northeast corner of Leon A. Wurl Parkway and County Line Road. The 20,000 sq ft full service facility is scheduled for completion in late December of 2007.

Erie Mayor Andrew Moore says: "It was no easy feat getting to this point. It required a state law change, approval by the Boulder County Erie voters, and agreement from the Weld Library District that Erie was the place for the latest addition to their network of libraries. Many volunteers over a 18 month process made it all possible."

Erie had been paying Lafayette for its residents' use of their neighbors library, and they prioritized getting into the Weld County Library District - and paying to do so - so they could have their own library. Congrats to Erie for making it happen.

The second story shoots a big hole in the righteous leverage that Louisville should otherwise have over Superior to negotiate some kind of payment for services rendered at their library. A woman who checked out 65 books for homeschooling and was "confused" by the checkout policies racked up $650 in fines. This was negotiated down to $150, which was paid by an anonymous donor. The books were out for several months, depriving others from their use.

As one of the people helping to negitiate this slap on the wrist, Louisville Mayor Chuck Sisk was quoted as saying that philosophically the library should be open to everyone. Read the article here. It will be hard to keep a straight face demanding payment from Superior when they can point to such leeway and appeal to the philosophy of libraries being open to all.

Today and Tuesday's Daily Camera Letters to the Editor have various comments: shame on Louisville by Richard Savino, don't shop Superior by Rich Bradfield and the excuses for the vote offered by Annette and Dan Plutt.