<< Back 10/22/03 Public needs to express views on library SMN Though I have followed the controversy regarding the proposed new library, I belatedly decided to educate myself regarding the history of the debate and current happenings. I have read all of the back articles, editorials, and letters printed in The Sylva Herald and Smoky Mountain News; the minutes from meetings of the board of commissioners; and the information provided on the BOLD website ( www.wnc.us/bold Though several of the letters to the editor suggested that there be a poll or a referendum, there is no evidence that a full vote has taken place. Until that happens, it seems to me that the work of the current task force is hampered, as well as the work of the people who want to maintain a downtown library presence. I am troubled by what seems to me a growing belief on the part of public officials that they are the decision-makers rather than public servants. Holding open meetings is just not enough when an issue is going to arise that may impact a large number of people. Much more effort is needed to inform the public as well as to allow the public to inform public officials. What I have learned The current library was occupied in 1970 at a cost of $186,320. According to an article published in The Sylva Herald in April of 1969, funds were granted from the Appalachian Development Act ($60,038); a Library Services Construction Act ($67,962); and local funds in the amount of $32,000. The Library Services Construction Act was a state grant and required that the library be built on Main Street in Sylva. Several years ago, evaluations concluded that the facility was indadequate: space limitations, indadequate budget, and a deteriorating building were cited as reasons. Expansion, rebuilding, or relocation were continually postponed because of inadequate funding Smoky Mountain News, 5/28/03). ° From 1999 to 2001, members of Fontana Regional Library System, Jackson County Public Library, library patrons, business owners, local government and other members of the public formed a Library Task Force. That task force recommended that a new public library was best suited to be built in a downtown Sylva location. I have not been able to locate the minutes of the meetings of that task force. ° From March 2002 to October 2002, a seven-member study group that included librarians from the Fontana Regional Library System and Southwestern Community College decided that both the Jackson County library in Sylva and the library on the campus of SCC were in need of expansion, and that a joint library would be a good idea. This report was made public on March 20, 2003, in a budget meeting and reported by The Sylva Herald. ° Once the recommendation to combine libraries was made in March of 2003, several letters from the public appeared in The Sylva Herald and The Smoky Mountain News asking questions, presenting reasons for moving the library, and opposing the move. ° On May 22, 2003, The Jackson County Board of Commissioners sponsored a public meeting at Southwestern Community College. Several formal presentations were given regarding the proposed merging of the two libraries, 30 citizens voiced their opposition to the joint-use proposal, and 3 spoke in favor. ° From the May 22 meeting until mid-July, public letters continued voicing opinions on the proposal. ° On Sept. 2, 2003 a new task force appointed by the county commissioners began meeting. I can certainly be very wrong about many things since I have studied this debate for such a short time, but it feels as if the decisions have already been made. Language can sometimes be very informative. I attended the last meeting of the Joint Library Task Force and one of its members stated, “We are going to occupy the first floor.” For those who want a new community library in downtown Sylva, it may seem hopeless. However, it is my belief that a grassroots movement can turn things around should the will of the people be made known and if the majority want the new library to be built in town. Since it does not look as if there is going to be a referendum in the November election, here are a few things you can do: attend the meetings of the Joint Library Task Force that meets at noon in Room 203 in the Justice Center every other Tuesday; attend the meetings of BOLD (Build our Library Downtown); log on to the BOLD website. If you would like, read all of the letters to the Sylva Herald and Smoky Mountain News; attend the meetings of The Jackson County Board of Commissioners. The schedule of their meetings is posted at www.jacksonnc.org. If you did not attend the May 22 community meeting, view the video that was made (See Joyce Moore at City Lights for information; if the Joint Library Task Force sponsors a survey, please fill it out and submit it; finally, and most importantly, letter writing campaigns really do work! Though letters to the editor are informative and important, I suggest that each citizen, young and old, library patrons or not, who has any interest or position on this matter write a short letter to the county commissioneers in which you state simply “I want the joint library;” or “I want a community library in downtown Sylva.” (Most of the reasons for and against the move have been stated before. Right now a head count is needed, in my opinion). Follow the statement with your vision of a library. Make it short. Sign it, date it, and mail it to the county commissioners (keeping a copy for your records may be a good idea.) To start the process, here is my vision for a new library: I want a community library that is a separate structure and one where service to patrons outweighs rules and regulations. I want it to be a warm and welcoming place. I want it filled with natural light and in a location that reflects the beauty of these mountains. I also want the structure to reflect the mountains. I want a bird garden and butterfly garden. And I want it to look much like the expansion of the Cashiers library that has just been approved and the construction of which is to be paid for by the county ($1.3 million): meeting rooms for the public, a music room with a small stage for performances; a room for young children and and another for youth; expanded shelving for books, audio-books, and videos, a lovely adult reading room with a fireplace; outdoor center for reading on beautiful days; and expanded computer areas. What do you want? Linda Watson Sylva