Jacksonville's libraries should not be closed!

[JayBird]

The modern library is more than just books, it's also computer and Internet access (which not everyone has), educational programs, ebooks and more. That guy's full of it.

Funny, most of our libraries are still heavily used especially on the weekends.

Truth. I think this writer has never been in a library in the past 10 years. They are moving to become more "neighborhood centers" than solely for outlets of personal knowledge.

[m74reeves]

update: looks like brentwood and maxville branches are still on the chopping block. other branches seem to have been spared for now.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/325714/3/2-Jacksonville-libraries-on-the-chopping-block

[If_I_Loved_you]

update: looks like brentwood and maxville branches are still on the chopping block. other branches seem to have been spared for now.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/325714/3/2-Jacksonville-libraries-on-the-chopping-block

The Brentwood and the Maxville branches shouldn't be closed at all! How about closing all the Library branches on Sunday so these two libraries can stay open. Can the people in Maxville help that Jacksonville is so huge in land mass? I have been to the Maxville branch it is almost at the end of Normandy Blvd near state road 301. And to close the Brentwood library is just plain cruel. The people of Brentwood some of the poorest in Jacksonville need this library. I find it sad that of the six that could have been closed that this board has decided to close these two branches. SHAME ON YOU!

[Cheshire Cat]

update: looks like brentwood and maxville branches are still on the chopping block. other branches seem to have been spared for now.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/325714/3/2-Jacksonville-libraries-on-the-chopping-block

The Brentwood and the Maxville branches shouldn't be closed at all! How about closing all the Library branches on Sunday so these two libraries can stay open. Can the people in Maxville help that Jacksonville is so huge in land mass? I have been to the Maxville branch it is almost at the end of Normandy Blvd near state road 301. And to close the Brentwood library is just plain cruel. The people of Brentwood some of the poorest in Jacksonville need this library. I find it sad that of the six that could have been closed that this board has decided to close these two branches. SHAME ON YOU!

I have to agree.  I am particularly dismayed at the closure of Brentwood.  This should have been worked out and still needs to be.

[If_I_Loved_you]

update: looks like brentwood and maxville branches are still on the chopping block. other branches seem to have been spared for now.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/325714/3/2-Jacksonville-libraries-on-the-chopping-block

The Brentwood and the Maxville branches shouldn't be closed at all! How about closing all the Library branches on Sunday so these two libraries can stay open. Can the people in Maxville help that Jacksonville is so huge in land mass? I have been to the Maxville branch it is almost at the end of Normandy Blvd near state road 301. And to close the Brentwood library is just plain cruel. The people of Brentwood some of the poorest in Jacksonville need this library. I find it sad that of the six that could have been closed that this board has decided to close these two branches. SHAME ON YOU!

I have to agree.  I am particularly dismayed at the closure of Brentwood.  This should have been worked out and still needs to be.

Amen! 

[If_I_Loved_you]

F.Y.I. Fine People of Maxville if your Library is closed you can drive 12.7 miles to the
West Regional Library Branch
(904) 693-1448
1425 Chaffee Road S [32221]
Hours:
• Wed, Fri, Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Tue & Thu: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sun & Mon: CLOSED

Or drive 17.2 miles to the Argyle Branch Library
904) 573-3164
7973 Old Middleburg Road S [32222]
Hours:
• Wed, Fri, Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Tue & Thu: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sun & Mon: CLOSED

Because your Library didn't make the cut?
Maxville Branch
(904) 289-7563
8375 Maxville Blvd [32234]
Hours:
• Mon: Noon - 8 p.m.
• Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Fri & Sun: CLOSED

[tufsu1]

^ well I guess the Baker County residents could go to their own library

[Cheshire Cat]

^ well I guess the Baker County residents could go to their own library

They no doubt could. In the big scheme of things we should fund our own libraries and if folks from Baker want to learn using our library resources, have at it. I don't care who uses resources that are meant to educated and enlighten.  Bottom line is was a total closure really necessary?

[Ethylene]

The second part of the discussion is a reduction in hours at the Main Library. It is currently open 52 hours a week, 8 hours per day Monday through Saturday and 4 hours Sunday. It's been proposed it drop to 44 hours. How would you propose the powers that be distribute those 44 hours, presuming funding is restored/found to maintain Sunday hours, currently 4 hours only? Which days should it be available and which days should it close?

[nandrewsn]

To If I loved You, I think all the libraries on the list are in the poor areas or serving the poor in that community or area. It is sad, but it is the truth. The poor always pay for the greed of others. The poor are used because the politicians know no one will stand for them. The poor are used because no one really care about them or care about getting them out of poverty. On the other hand, the politicians know that the rich got their ways to defend their rights.

[Tacachale]

^The latest news is that the Maxville and Brentwood libraries will also be spared in the City Council's most recent plan. Everything has been slow because the Council has essentially had to write the budget themselves; it's supposed to be the Mayor's job.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-09-05/story/jacksonville-council-panel-backs-spending-keep-open-2-more-libraries

[If_I_Loved_you]

To If I loved You, I think all the libraries on the list are in the poor areas or serving the poor in that community or area. It is sad, but it is the truth. The poor always pay for the greed of others. The poor are used because the politicians know no one will stand for them. The poor are used because no one really care about them or care about getting them out of poverty. On the other hand, the politicians know that the rich got their ways to defend their rights.

nandrewsn Your right but just like Tacachale has stated Maxville and Brentwood Libraries have been spared and these people will be able to keep their local libraries this next year. But I do find it sad that it's so easy for the Mayor to go after the Library system. I'm glad no libraries will be closed. But the hours that have been cut back at all the branches still makes me sick! So I'm all for saving the libraries with a separate or special TAX I signed the paper work to Save our libraries I hope you did!

[spuwho]

I have said it before, but Duval Public Libraries really need to be partitioned off from the overall city budget.

They should have their own funding body, board and governance. Having their budget co-mingled with the overall city budget, especially in a city this large is odd.

via the Daily Record

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543822

Board says cuts will close Mandarin, Maxville and Willowbranch libraries

If the across-the-board 2.4 percent reduction in department budgets recommended by the City Council Finance Committee occurs, some libraries in Jacksonville will close.

After absorbing a $132,000 budget cut for part-time hours, the library is faced with finding another $764,460 to cut based on the budget.

The library board of trustees previously voted to close the Maxville Branch Library, the least-used branch in the system, to save $68,477 in the 2014-15 budget.

The trustees developed a range of scenarios on Friday to accommodate the budget cut. On the low end, $772,234 could be saved by closing the Mandarin and Willowbranch libraries.

The highest-level cut, $1,464,206, would be achieved by closing the Mandarin, University Park and Willowbranch libraries and closing all libraries on Sunday.

"In our control are people and materials. Reducing staff will close libraries," said Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, trustees chair. "We've been here before. Our backs are against the wall."