Jane Grover: Touch the Third Rail

Submitted by Jane Grover on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 10:51

Rather than shying away from the "third rail of the 7th Ward" – the North Branch library– we should be engaging in a full and open discussion of the whole Evanston library system and the consequences of our commitment to branch libraries for the city’s budget. 

Let’s first agree that the North Branch library is a 7th Ward treasure and that we should keep the North Branch.  I would add that both governmental presences on Central Street, the North Branch library and the U.S. post office, anchor the business district and are important to its viability.  There are many good reasons to preserve the North Branch library and, given the city's recent investment in architectural consulting for renovation of the library branches, we have assurance that they are here to stay.

But the issue is not who loves the North Branch more.  A prudent and long-term view of the branch libraries sees them in the larger context, with a full understanding of the City’s financial realities – budget crisis, declining revenues, and a future of difficult budget decisions. 

So let's not be afraid of this "third rail" and talk about the library's budget and what we don't have because we support our branch libraries.  Let's talk about the size and age of Evanston's library collection and library staffing levels and compare them to our neighbors'.  Let's talk about the implications of the growth of a regional library system, which includes Evanston, and our use of libraries outside of Evanston (and others’ use of our libraries). 

An open and responsible discussion of the branch libraries looks beyond the near-term and considers the evolution of Evanston's library needs, changing technology, and economic realities.  That discussion, however difficult, is entirely compatible with wanting to not only preserve the North Branch library, but to expand its functions and patronage. 

Evanston's challenges can only be met when we ask ourselves difficult questions and think strategically about what will best serve Evanston for the next 20 years. Our commitment to transparency and accountability in our city government must extend to our deliberations about the branch libraries. 
Jane Grover
janegrover7thward@comcast.net
www.janegrover.org

Comments

JunadRizki

Mon, 03/30/2009 - 18:56

Jane you now are saying "Let’s first agree that the North Branch library is a 7th Ward treasure and that we should keep the North Branch."
 
That is not what you said at a forum - you were saying we could lose it, and your support was luke warm at best.
 
You go off on a long discussion of the library system, What are you thoughts on the North branch?  That is how do you wish to expand it?
 
Also as some one who took the firefighters endorsement - I question your statements on "commitment to transparency and accountability "   I like many are disgusted with the influence of PAC in the local election, yet you proudly display the firefighters endorsement!
 
 

jeffpsmith

Tue, 03/31/2009 - 10:20

Junad, I think you are twisting positions here.  Look at the League of Women Voters questionnaire.  The LWV asked very directly, in their question #27, "Do you favor continuation of branch libraries?"
 
Kevin O'Connor and Jane Grover answered, without qualification, "Yes."  John Zbesko is listed as "Undecided" and adds a "qualifying statement" in which he repeated his CSNA-forum position about letting folks wander the stacks with a cup of coffee.
 
Who is supposed to make and serve and sell the coffee, the wisdom of allowing food and drink in stacks with children (unlike a bookstore, there are preservation issues in libraries), and how that would not add to "overhead" I am not sure, but, leaving aside the merits of John's idea, I think it's wrong to somehow draw a distinction on the branch libraries here that paints Jane as somehow less pro-branch than John.
 
The "forum answer" you reference is one that was premised by the question on having to cut the branches out of the budget. While Jane did not disagree with the possibility that that hard choice might someday face us -- and who knows what choices we will face if this recession lasts as long as pessimistic estimates reckon -- she reiterated her statement by saying she does not now support closing the north branch.
 
The question of an independent library district -- which is a different thread here -- is in fact under discussion only as a way to depoliticize the annual rite of threatening the branches.

JunadRizki

Tue, 03/31/2009 - 18:31

Jeff - I sensed Jane weak support for the North Branch in how she answered the forum question. (I am not twisting what she said )
 
Lets ask Jane to answer this question since she is now posting here.
 
What will you cut if you have to chose between the North Branch and the Mental Health board?
 
She in her statements has been claiming she wants to bring family planning back where does she think she is going to get funding by cutting the North Branch? ( family planning is a duplicate service anyway )
 
Jane in all her posting and statements wants to have "dicussions" , that is what has been going on here for years, her statement on the Civic Center shows a real lack of knowledge of the issue.
 
Jeff you are correct the economy will not allow the council to play the games they have done for years that is get by, next year will be quite ugly. that is unless you favor a huge tax increase.
 
I do not feel Jane will be able to handle the cuts, we will need given her desire to want to discuss everything.  Dicussions are important, but making decisions are even more important. ( If you are luke warm on issues such as the North Branch that clearly will effect your final decision)