News, Detroit library criticized for renovations

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Perhaps if they make the library more pleasant, more people will use it and they can help avoid further closings and layoffs. However that does seem a bit excessive. Who pays $1000 for a chair?

Actually the libraries are generally pleasant. The Main Library in particular was actually quite nice if dated. Those new chairs are going to be worthless pretty soon. Sitting on cloth chairs in a public library is like playing Russian Roulette. Whoever decided on them saw dollar signs and didn't use any common sense whatsoever. Out of touch management at its best.

Since the economy took a nose dive library usage is up, way up. A lot of folks tend to use the library computers regularly. Nowadays there are so many people that they take appointments.

The bill for the renovation stinks of the same old thing, kickbacks. That is nothing new. It happens everywhere and it's a shame that people given a little power choose to line their own pockets or look to make connections that will net them opportunities later on.

Mismanagement has and will always be an issue. It's terrible that it could lead to closures. I wonder if the local library I go to gets the axe. I assume so but I decided not to even look. Not like not looking will change anything though.

Years ago before interlibrary loan I found myself riding buses all over the city to various libraries. I've probably been to most of them. It'll be a shame to see some of the beacons in these communities extinguished.