Remarks to the Clinton City Council, April 11, 2006
Madam Mayor, and members of the Council...
I am here today as the President of the Friends of the Clinton Public Library to lend support to the Library Trustees' new library plans.
The symbol of the grand, neoclassical public library is an icon of the American subconscious. But, the idea of the public library as a vital public space has only recently re-emerged amongst policy makers. And while the grandeur of many Victorian municipal libraries testify to the pride with which these institutions were founded, as a British historian [A. Black] points out, “In some respects, indeed, it appeared that [the] buildings were more important than they books they contained” And I would add, the role they play in the community.
That quote should be well worth keeping in mind in the months ahead.
Despite predictions of the death of the library due to the information revolution and the availability of digital resources, new library buildings are being built at a record pace and attracting renewed attention and increased usage. It is a stone cold fact that, according to the American Library Association, a modern, new library will see a PERMANENT increase in usage of 50% after opening with additional increases commensurate with the programs delivered.
In choosing Harding School as its site for a new library the Trustees' have reached what we hope is the end of a long process of deliberation. We feel strongly that the Harding site offers us the chance to build a new public library that
a)is a wise and valuable use of public funds; b) will be easy to reach for the present and future population of Clinton; c) results in a library that has a beautiful, natural setting and will work together with the nearby parks and recreation facilities to nurture new generations of curious children who are healthy both intellecutally and physically.
We have a long road ahead of us. But we relish this chance to come before you tonight and begin to outline our vision for a new public library. The need is there. As Andrew Carnegie himself said, “It was from my own early experience that I decided there was no use to which money could be applied so productive of good to boys and girls... as the founding of a public library”
I am here today as the President of the Friends of the Clinton Public Library to lend support to the Library Trustees' new library plans.
The symbol of the grand, neoclassical public library is an icon of the American subconscious. But, the idea of the public library as a vital public space has only recently re-emerged amongst policy makers. And while the grandeur of many Victorian municipal libraries testify to the pride with which these institutions were founded, as a British historian [A. Black] points out, “In some respects, indeed, it appeared that [the] buildings were more important than they books they contained” And I would add, the role they play in the community.
That quote should be well worth keeping in mind in the months ahead.
Despite predictions of the death of the library due to the information revolution and the availability of digital resources, new library buildings are being built at a record pace and attracting renewed attention and increased usage. It is a stone cold fact that, according to the American Library Association, a modern, new library will see a PERMANENT increase in usage of 50% after opening with additional increases commensurate with the programs delivered.
In choosing Harding School as its site for a new library the Trustees' have reached what we hope is the end of a long process of deliberation. We feel strongly that the Harding site offers us the chance to build a new public library that
a)is a wise and valuable use of public funds; b) will be easy to reach for the present and future population of Clinton; c) results in a library that has a beautiful, natural setting and will work together with the nearby parks and recreation facilities to nurture new generations of curious children who are healthy both intellecutally and physically.
We have a long road ahead of us. But we relish this chance to come before you tonight and begin to outline our vision for a new public library. The need is there. As Andrew Carnegie himself said, “It was from my own early experience that I decided there was no use to which money could be applied so productive of good to boys and girls... as the founding of a public library”
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posted by -cman- at 4/12/2006 08:50:00 AM
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