Willowbranch Library In Danger.

[Dog Walker]

The Willowbranch library is the OLDEST branch in the City and the building is on the National Register.  It is heavily used as is the Murry Hill Branch.  I've never been in Willowbranch when it wasn't busy.

Can you imagine the cost of moving the entire genealogy section, all of the microfilm machines, etc.  You would still need a specialized librarian to oversee the section.  The Florida Collection, which cannot be moved from the Main Library would still need its specialized librarians.

Where's the savings?  I smell a big rat.

[Garden guy]

Now guys don't go crazy on me but the Murray Hill Branch is 1.7 miles from Willowbranch. Is it necessary having two so close together? The other three branches on the Westside are several miles apart from each other.

There are enough population to support these libraries being close is you call that close..i don't call 1.7 miles close at all...especially if you walk..but of course it's close to those that drive.

[outofhere]

Rumor has it that the Geneology Society folks don't like making the trip downtown and have been working the system to get everything moved to Willowbranch.

[danno]

Great.. another reason not to go downtown.

[Bativac]

Rumor has it that the Geneology Society folks don't like making the trip downtown and have been working the system to get everything moved to Willowbranch.

Another group of Jacksonville citizens who are anti-downtown. Let's just take everything out of downtown and put it in the suburbs. Yeah, I know, Riverside isn't exactly a suburb, but still.

How many members of the Genealogy Society contribute to political campaigns?

[Garden guy]

Rumor has it that the Geneology Society folks don't like making the trip downtown and have been working the system to get everything moved to Willowbranch.

Another group of Jacksonville citizens who are anti-downtown. Let's just take everything out of downtown and put it in the suburbs. Yeah, I know, Riverside isn't exactly a suburb, but still.

How many members of the Genealogy Society contribute to political campaigns?

Just another reason to get out the vote for Al because Mike could care less about downtown or anything that is'nt stuffing his pockets with cash...

[Timkin]

The Willowbranch library is the OLDEST branch in the City and the building is on the National Register.  It is heavily used as is the Murry Hill Branch.  I've never been in Willowbranch when it wasn't busy.

Can you imagine the cost of moving the entire genealogy section, all of the microfilm machines, etc.  You would still need a specialized librarian to oversee the section.  The Florida Collection, which cannot be moved from the Main Library would still need its specialized librarians.

Where's the savings?  I smell a big rat.

I smell a skunk .. hes running for Mayor

[5pointy]

They just spent a lot of money to do a number of repairs--why close it to the reading public now? I use it heavily, and always have to wait to use the computers--lots of teens there, always well mannered. Is this something RAP might weigh in on?

[Dog Walker]

RAP is already on top of it and mad as hell!   Their executive committee is meeting with the Library Board this coming week.

[Lucasjj]

In regards to the Murray Hill location being so close, there is no guarantee that it will stay open when this one closes. The residents of Murray Hill have been battling for over a year now to keep their services and hours and to ensure their branch stays open. If Willowbranch is closed we could begin to see a domino effect that leaves us with no branches in the area.

[urbanlibertarian]

From the Times-Union PolitiJax blog:

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/steve-patterson/2011-05-14/council-auditors-say-jacksonville-revenues-down

Council auditors say Jacksonville revenues down, spending too high
Submitted by Steve Patterson on May 14, 2011 - 8:18pm

PolitiJax

Jacksonville could have to spend almost $10 million from reserve accounts this year to make up for falling revenues and city departments running over budget, a report from the City Council's auditors warns.

And there would still be money problems at some agencies if that happened, according to a financial summary that became public Friday. The report tracked revenue and spending through March 31, the end of the city's second budget quarter.   

The city's general fund, which pays for most city business,  raised less revenue than expected, mostly because tax payments, licensing fees and state and money from other government agencies have come in slower than planned.

If that doesn't change, revenues could be off by $8.4 million on Sept. 30, the end of the budget year.

On top of that, cost overruns by the Sheriff's Office, the elections office and some citywide programs are eating up savings that other city departments have made and could push overall spending about $2.8 million over budget.

If both the spending and revenue problems continue at the same pace, they'll wipe out a small cushion in the general fund and leave the City Council obliged to spend $9.5 million from reserves to get the budget balanced again.

And that's on top of figuring out how to handle a $60-some million shortfall expected in the next budget year.

The auditors' report also pointed out problems in sub-funds that finance specialized purposes including clerk of court operations, building inspections, stormwater projects and operating the city's downtown parking garage, the Memorial Arena and the Times-Union Performing Arts Center.

COJ has big budget problems.  Libraries are important but are they more important than other city services?  We'll have to prioritize things and decide what to keep and what to cut or tax ourselves at a greater rate.

[ChriswUfGator]

Now guys don't go crazy on me but the Murray Hill Branch is 1.7 miles from Willowbranch. Is it necessary having two so close together? The other three branches on the Westside are several miles apart from each other.

Well fine, then according to your logic, since Riverside has 10X the popukation of Murray Hill it makes more sense to close Murray Hill and move the genealogical records there, doesn't it? And that's a long and not-bikabke 2 miles across US17, over the tracks, and down busy Edgewood Ave. May as well just go downtown at that point.

[thelakelander]

In a city, nothing happens in a vacuum. Perhaps we should start by closing those that are a result of autocentric sprawl first? If we're going to consolidate our assets, isn't it best to keep things that promote sustainability? Closing schools and libraries in "actual neighborhoods" will only create additional economic obstacles for this city to overcome.

[Jumpinjack]

Stop a minute and think about this. Closing Willowbranch to the general public may remove several librarians who work there. Keeping open a smaller space downstairs in the building will keep on one or two librarians to handle general use. The children's books, magazines, AV, and general fiction and non-fiction will have to find new homes unless they can be crammed into that small space. Where will that stuff go? Sell it to the public?
Some cost savings maybe.

Moving the Florida Collection and the entire genealogical collection to a special climate controlled space in Willowbranch will not be cheap. Moving the specialty librarians to assist researchers in that space will be necessary. May also need more computer access. The space in the Main Library which already houses this collection then will be available - for what?

Shaking my head here because most of us could think of better things to cut from the budget. Let's start with some of the salaries and benefits of our city officials. When will they be put on the chopping block?

[mtraininjax]

I'm sure Mike Hogan will repurpose it as well....i.e., closing it.

That's OK, Brown will create a joint public/private policy team to stick their finger in the air and see which way the wind is blowing, only after great debate, there will be more talk about doing something and then a new thread will be built on MJ. Can't wait.