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Anti-Library Movement

Started by cityimrov, July 25, 2009, 01:52:36 PM

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Jerry Moran

#45
July 29, 2009, 01:25:37 PM
Where will the money come from?  Well, close to $2 million if the worthless Downtown Vision Inc were dissolved.  I would not mind continuing to pay the special property tax assessment if the money were put towards a Bum Town.  Right now, all that money is wasted on DVI, which I repeat, is a worthless organization.

ChriswUfGator

#46
July 29, 2009, 05:04:41 PM
I went to check out the new library, as I'd heard the building was stunning, and the place was full of bums. I can't imagine what the bathrooms must be like in there. I don't think anybody's saying to get rid of it, I think their point is just that it's purpose as a library is being overshadowed by its de facto use as the daytime homeless shelter.

I think part of the problem must be that, for some reason that has never been adequately explained to me, all the downtown shelters seem to have a policy of kicking them out and locking the doors during the daytime. I guess that leaves them no place to go except the closest place that's open to the public, which is the library.

And with that in mind, I find it a comical comparison that if you want to go into City Hall you have to show photo ID, state what your business is inside, and get a pass from the guard desk, before you're allowed in the front door. CLEARLY, they know what's up, and are just doing nothing about it...except making sure it doesn't affect them personally.

CS Foltz

#47
August 19, 2009, 05:43:07 PM
It would seem to me to treat the Library entrance as if it were City Hall. I mean we have all of this security to gain access to a citizen owned Bldg that is on loan.......why not do the same to the Library also? We have rentacops manning City Halls entrance do the same there......after all my tax dollars pay for the facility and I do not remember seeing any vagrants last time I was inside City Hall!

strider

#48
August 19, 2009, 06:59:19 PM
The library is not the problem, but the lack of day services for the homeless certainly is.  Let's face it, using the library bathroom is a much better choice than the corner light pole. If you controled the library like city hall, that might just be what happens. I believe that they set up a "day center" during the superbowl.  A day center would certainly change the landscape of downtown by quite a bit.  And it would cost much less than that 2 mill someone else mentioned.
"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement." Patrica, Joe VS the Volcano.

Cliffs_Daughter

#49
August 19, 2009, 09:00:36 PM
CS -
Actually - there IS a security guard at the library entrance... BOTH entrances.
Just the Laura St side it's not until AFTER you go thru those electronic gates that you see them on your left. But I see your point. City hall is pretty secure, for the most part. But if an employee wanted to bring something illegal into the building, if they have their ID on them there's really nothing in their way.
It's kinda scary in its own right.
Heather  @Tiki_Proxima

Ignorantia legis non excusat.

CS Foltz

#50
August 20, 2009, 07:07:53 AM
I have never been to the downtown Library. I am much close to the Deerwood branch and that's the one that I use. I have been to City Hall and the security there at least controls access to, except for the employee side. A Homeless center would probably relieve the Library issue being used by people who have no where to go or nothing to do but clog up things. Maybe the nonprofits could band together and set something up  or else the Church organizations. I am not sure City could or would take it upon themselves to fund or even operate such a facility. Or maybe the business's downtown could take up a collection to fund something along those lines or maybe a special taxing district just for that function or maybe another Bed tax to cover the cost. There should be a concentrated effort to correct the issue or the issue will continue to effect downtown!

Dog Walker

#51
August 20, 2009, 08:39:37 AM
The downtown library is a great building and heavily used by everyone.  Go on a Saturday and it is full of families with their kids.  The library has a wonderful children's section and special programs for them.  I think one of the most valuable things a parent can do is introduce their children to a library as a place to have fun and learn things.
When all else fails hug the dog.

CS Foltz

#52
August 20, 2009, 06:40:19 PM
Dog Walker.......Deerwood Library has Saturday events and based on that would guess that all of them do. I won't go downtown because of the parking situation but have no trouble showing up at a Library......especially since my tax dollars are paying for it. Our HOA Board meets there also......great place and no vagrants hanging around. Maybe there should be some place for the vagrants for day care......got lights for Laura Street and streetscape, other than the new courthouse being built don't see much going for downtown and controling vagrants of which there is a problem. Maybe the Mayor is planning on building a wing just for the vagrants?

braeburn

#53
August 20, 2009, 10:02:00 PM
I'd imagine Hemming Plaza being right across the street doesn't help, even though I love the location being across the street from the library.

I used to go to the library often. The courtyard on the 2nd floor was always nice to go to with my laptop or a book, but the homeless situation *is* a problem. They don't bother me until they start wanting to have a conversation with me while I'm trying to work on my computer or read my book. I don't have the heart to ask them to leave me alone, because then they'll think I'm discriminating against them due to being homeless. I honestly don't like to be bothered by anyone when I go to the library, homeless or not!

Nowadays when I go, I get what I'm looking for or browse around until I find it, and then I checkout and leave.  :(

Dog Walker

#54
August 21, 2009, 01:52:20 PM
We never have any problem finding parking with a block or so of the downtown library, especially on Saturday.  During the week we just hop on the Riverside Trolley in Five Points and walk up from the Landing stop downtown.
When all else fails hug the dog.

jbroadglide

#55
August 21, 2009, 02:24:51 PM
Quote from: Cliffs_Daughter on August 19, 2009, 09:00:36 PM
CS -
Actually - there IS a security guard at the library entrance... BOTH entrances.
Just the Laura St side it's not until AFTER you go thru those electronic gates that you see them on your left. But I see your point. City hall is pretty secure, for the most part. But if an employee wanted to bring something illegal into the building, if they have their ID on them there's really nothing in their way.
It's kinda scary in its own right.

Not anymore. It now appears there is some sort of electronic scanning device on the employee side of the entrance as well, right next to the guards station..
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus (Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon)

Cliffs_Daughter

#56
August 21, 2009, 03:54:03 PM
Quote from: jbroadglide on August 21, 2009, 02:24:51 PM
Not anymore. It now appears there is some sort of electronic scanning device on the employee side of the entrance as well, right next to the guards station..

Not at the back/service entrance though. Just need a badge with that RFID chip.
Heather  @Tiki_Proxima

Ignorantia legis non excusat.
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