City of Austin shutting down free library access for non-residents

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by DCtoTejas

Library services are a good thing and can be provided without a gleaming riverfront temple to public spending.

Per capita, Austin's is a lot cheaper than the new one Cedar Park is proposing. And it's not even on the river.

Cedar Park to Propose $20M Bond to Build New Library

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by theone33

Just because you dont read doesnt mean nobody else does.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by theone33

Just because you dont read doesnt mean nobody else does.

Just because the majority of citizens don't step into a library but once a year (or once every two years) doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because 99% of citizens have zero interest in driving on Mopac or I 35 to travel to a Downtown Library (& pay to park), when there might be (or should be) a neighborhood library (with free parking) to visit instead....doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because many citizens don't want to pay for a "Free" air conditioned Palace for urban dwellers (or vagrants) to escape the heat in free wi fi bliss.....doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because a majority of citizens use other forms of reading (& this trend is growing) accessible from their home as opposed to schlepping in their car to a Centralized Dewey Decimal Museum...doesn't mean that they don't like to read.

Hey...I get it. I was on a Parks/Rec/Library board in another small city. Saying you have a nice library makes one feel good. It tells the world that you encourage literacy. A nice library is a nice thing. There are worse ways to waste money. Those who would oppose a library would also oppose apple pie and puppies.

But the reality is, neighborhood libraries make more sense (economically, strategically & from an "actual usage" standpoint) than a cathedral downtown (not counting those that are using it as a free Wi Fi locale when they don't have 5 bucks for a Frap at Starbucks). And (imo) 30 years from now, the only libraries that will make sense will be those located in schools (but I might be wrong).

But maybe they'll be able to turn the downtown cathedral into apartment lofts or an indoor skating rink (or a downtown subway terminal? ). And guys....there are LOTS of ways to encourage literacy, & provide free Wi-Fi, & have book clubs, & show artsy movies or celebrate authors.....without building a huge #ss building downtown. If fact I would suggest there are BETTER ways to do these things (with the money) than p*ssing it off on a cathedral downtown.

& theone: You live in Houston. What dog do you have in this hunt? Are you trying to create more gridlock on our roads? See our taxes go higher? I'm sorry that those who oppose childish & wasteful spending (Like a Professional Sports Stadium downtown, or a choo choo to a community college or a cathedral that celebrates reading behavior from the 1890s) are insulting to your socialist sensibilities, but who gives a rat?....you don't live here & don't pay taxes here.

theone has often mentioned (while trashing our city and those who reside here) that he's forced to come here to make business calls. Maybe he's just looking for a "free" place to rest his dogs & check his email between making business calls downtown?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by hound 109

Just because the majority of citizens don't step into a library but once a year (or once every two years) doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because 99% of citizens have zero interest in driving on Mopac or I 35 to travel to a Downtown Library (& pay to park), when there might be (or should be) a neighborhood library (with free parking) to visit instead....doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because many citizens don't want to pay for a "Free" air conditioned Palace for urban dwellers (or vagrants) to escape the heat in free wi fi bliss.....doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because a majority of citizens use other forms of reading (& this trend is growing) accessible from their home as opposed to schlepping in their car to a Centralized Dewey Decimal Museum...doesn't mean that they don't like to read.

Hey...I get it. I was on a Parks/Rec/Library board in another small city. Saying you have a nice library makes one feel good. It tells the world that you encourage literacy. A nice library is a nice thing. There are worse ways to waste money. Those who would oppose a library would also oppose apple pie and puppies.

But the reality is, neighborhood libraries make more sense (economically, strategically & from an "actual usage" standpoint) than a cathedral downtown (not counting those that are using it as a free Wi Fi locale when they don't have 5 bucks for a Frap at Starbucks). And (imo) 30 years from now, the only libraries that will make sense will be those located in schools (but I might be wrong).

But maybe they'll be able to turn the downtown cathedral into apartment lofts or an indoor skating rink (or a downtown subway terminal? ). And guys....there are LOTS of ways to encourage literacy, & provide free Wi-Fi, & have book clubs, & show artsy movies or celebrate authors.....without building a huge #ss building downtown. If fact I would suggest there are BETTER ways to do these things (with the money) than p*ssing it off on a cathedral downtown.

& theone: You live in Houston. What dog do you have in this hunt? Are you trying to create more gridlock on our roads? See our taxes go higher? I'm sorry that those who oppose childish & wasteful spending (Like a Professional Sports Stadium downtown, or a choo choo to a community college or a cathedral that celebrates reading behavior from the 1890s) are insulting to your socialist sensibilities, but who gives a rat?....you don't live here & don't pay taxes here.

theone has often mentioned (while trashing our city and those who reside here) that he's forced to come here to make business calls. Maybe he's just looking for a "free" place to rest his dogs & check his email between making business calls downtown?

While I generally agree with your perspective, I would add that community centers are something that it is reasonable that a city provide. Those community centers should be meeting places of all different kinds.

I think there should be as few neighborhood libraries as possible to maximize the inventory of each library while minimizing costs.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by hound 109

Just because the majority of citizens don't step into a library but once a year (or once every two years) doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because 99% of citizens have zero interest in driving on Mopac or I 35 to travel to a Downtown Library (& pay to park), when there might be (or should be) a neighborhood library (with free parking) to visit instead....doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because many citizens don't want to pay for a "Free" air conditioned Palace for urban dwellers (or vagrants) to escape the heat in free wi fi bliss.....doesn't mean they don't read.

Just because a majority of citizens use other forms of reading (& this trend is growing) accessible from their home as opposed to schlepping in their car to a Centralized Dewey Decimal Museum...doesn't mean that they don't like to read.

Hey...I get it. I was on a Parks/Rec/Library board in another small city. Saying you have a nice library makes one feel good. It tells the world that you encourage literacy. A nice library is a nice thing. There are worse ways to waste money. Those who would oppose a library would also oppose apple pie and puppies.

But the reality is, neighborhood libraries make more sense (economically, strategically & from an "actual usage" standpoint) than a cathedral downtown (not counting those that are using it as a free Wi Fi locale when they don't have 5 bucks for a Frap at Starbucks). And (imo) 30 years from now, the only libraries that will make sense will be those located in schools (but I might be wrong).

But maybe they'll be able to turn the downtown cathedral into apartment lofts or an indoor skating rink (or a downtown subway terminal? ). And guys....there are LOTS of ways to encourage literacy, & provide free Wi-Fi, & have book clubs, & show artsy movies or celebrate authors.....without building a huge #ss building downtown. If fact I would suggest there are BETTER ways to do these things (with the money) than p*ssing it off on a cathedral downtown.

& theone: You live in Houston. What dog do you have in this hunt? Are you trying to create more gridlock on our roads? See our taxes go higher? I'm sorry that those who oppose childish & wasteful spending (Like a Professional Sports Stadium downtown, or a choo choo to a community college or a cathedral that celebrates reading behavior from the 1890s) are insulting to your socialist sensibilities, but who gives a rat?....you don't live here & don't pay taxes here.

theone has often mentioned (while trashing our city and those who reside here) that he's forced to come here to make business calls. Maybe he's just looking for a "free" place to rest his dogs & check his email between making business calls downtown?

The library is being built because the majority of Austinites wanted it built. The majority of Austinites voted for it to be built when it was put up for election, so that puts your whole "plight of the suburbanite" schtick to rest.

[spchtx]

Originally Posted by hound 109

But the reality is, neighborhood libraries make more sense (economically, strategically & from an "actual usage" standpoint) than a cathedral downtown (not counting those that are using it as a free Wi Fi locale when they don't have 5 bucks for a Frap at Starbucks). And (imo) 30 years from now, the only libraries that will make sense will be those located in schools (but I might be wrong).

Where we just moved from the school district defunded school libraries a few years ago, and the only other way to have one was for each school to raise the funds to pay a librarian on their own. Union rules would not allow a parent volunteer to do it. So the HS/MS campus opening up during this defunding decided to go into a partnership with the county library. As a result the HS/MS got their library and another public library was added to the town.

Worked out perfect as long as you didn't try to go during after school PU time. You also had to sign in during school hours.

As for libraries going away.... I hope not. I like technology and I use my Kindle, but there is nothing like holding an actual book. My 13 yo actually agrees with me, and she is all about technology! (More shocking is that she actually agrees with me about something these days!) I read about 3-4 books a week, and I rarely read a book a second time. The library is a perfect option for someone like me. Given the numbers of people I see checking out books every time I go to the library, I suspect I'm not alone.

That said, I completely agree with you about libraries being more efficient in neighborhoods, and not really needing a "Cathedral" type library.

[Trainwreck20]

The 'crown jewel' library thing strikes me a bit like the "We have to have a world class Zoo! And a Pro Sports Team! And a Spiffy Amusement Park!". Apparently, the only way to be a cool city is to recreate what all the other 'cool' cities have. Fortunately, most people have reject those type of edifices locally.

Personally, I would much rather be a cool high-speed rail hub that could get you to those things in Houston, SA, and Dallas! Better than trying to re-create them locally .