Report from the July 20th Public Meeting: “Working Together to Save the Library”
On
July 20th, about 65 community residents gathered at the Charles Martin
Center to share ideas and information and to develop plans to save the
LaSalle Branch Library. A decline in revenues for the St. Joseph
County Public Libraries has led to a proposal by Library Director
Napoli to close the LaSalle Branch Library so that its operating funds
could be used to support services at other branch libraries within the
system.
In response to this threat, the Community
Forum for Economic Development and the Lincoln Way West Gateway
Association sponsored a "working meeting" to develop and begin the
implementation of plans to oppose the closing of the LaSalle Library.
Eight topics were identified by the group as a whole, participants in
the meeting divided into groups addressing each topic, and reporters
from each group shared the main ideas developed by each group.
Forum for Economic Development and the Lincoln Way West Gateway
Association sponsored a "working meeting" to develop and begin the
implementation of plans to oppose the closing of the LaSalle Library.
Eight topics were identified by the group as a whole, participants in
the meeting divided into groups addressing each topic, and reporters
from each group shared the main ideas developed by each group.
What
follows is a short summary of the focus for each of these groups as
well as one or more contact persons whom you can call to become
involved. Some groups have met since July 20th and have begun working
on their project goals. Others will meet soon.
follows is a short summary of the focus for each of these groups as
well as one or more contact persons whom you can call to become
involved. Some groups have met since July 20th and have begun working
on their project goals. Others will meet soon.
Please
become involved in our efforts to save the LaSalle Branch Library by
participating in one or more of the following project groups:
become involved in our efforts to save the LaSalle Branch Library by
participating in one or more of the following project groups:
1. Programs for Adults
One
of the groups focused on increasing library use by developing or
supporting programs and activities for adults (e.g. computer assistance
for job applicants, book clubs, adult literacy, arts and craft lessons
and activities, etc.).
of the groups focused on increasing library use by developing or
supporting programs and activities for adults (e.g. computer assistance
for job applicants, book clubs, adult literacy, arts and craft lessons
and activities, etc.).
Contact: Jennifer Reith jreith@monarchlinen.com, 287-8347 or Marilyn Gachaw, marilyngachaw@aol.com, 233-9887.
2. Programs for Children
A
second group focused on programs and activities for children (e.g.
children reading to adults, celebrity reading programs, reading
competitions, after school homework assistance, etc.).
second group focused on programs and activities for children (e.g.
children reading to adults, celebrity reading programs, reading
competitions, after school homework assistance, etc.).
Contact: Teresa Marcy tmarcy@saintmarys.edu, 272-3089.
3. Searching for Money
This
group discussed grants and other forms of fundraising. They have begun
to investigate a "Friends of the LaSalle Branch" group as well as a
fundraising "Festival."
group discussed grants and other forms of fundraising. They have begun
to investigate a "Friends of the LaSalle Branch" group as well as a
fundraising "Festival."
Contact: Pat Lorenc lorenc2137@comcast.net, 232-4528 or Vera Smith, 287-8859.
4. Outreach and lobbying efforts.
Some of these efforts are already underway through the LWW Gateway
Association petition, the campaign to contact the Library Board and the
elected officials who appointed the Board, and lobbying efforts by TAP
(Transforming Action Through Power).
Some of these efforts are already underway through the LWW Gateway
Association petition, the campaign to contact the Library Board and the
elected officials who appointed the Board, and lobbying efforts by TAP
(Transforming Action Through Power).
Contact: Pat Frazier j-and-p-frazier@juno.com, 287-6092 or Jerry Niezgodski jniezgod@yahoo.com, 250-5147.
***
The
other four groups focused on issues that had been discussed during
previous public meetings about the proposed closure. In each of these
groups, participants sought a deeper understanding of an issue with the
intent of sharing that understanding community-wide.
other four groups focused on issues that had been discussed during
previous public meetings about the proposed closure. In each of these
groups, participants sought a deeper understanding of an issue with the
intent of sharing that understanding community-wide.
5. Framing the issue
This
group discussed how to "frame" the issue: a county-wide system should
not make any one community suffer disproportionally and there should be
community input into how budget cuts would be determined.
group discussed how to "frame" the issue: a county-wide system should
not make any one community suffer disproportionally and there should be
community input into how budget cuts would be determined.
Contact: Glenda Rae Hernandez, 287-7715.
6. Criteria that Define "Community"
This
group stressed the importance of community organization and the fact
that the LaSalle Library is an important anchor for economic
development in LaSalle Square.
group stressed the importance of community organization and the fact
that the LaSalle Library is an important anchor for economic
development in LaSalle Square.
Contact: Diana Hess nrcneighbors@gmail.com, 287-0425.
7. Library Data
This
group focused on learning how to understand and interpret the factual
material that is being used to support the closing of LaSalle.
group focused on learning how to understand and interpret the factual
material that is being used to support the closing of LaSalle.
Contact: Cheryl Ashe clashe1952@hotmail.com, 231-8890.
8. Library Neighborhood
The
final group began to examine the particular characteristics of the
neighborhood around the LaSalle Branch Library. They are interested in
tracking where library patrons live, understanding the Library in the
context of the LaSalle Square Redevelopment Plan, reviewing public
transportation services to the neighborhood, etc.
final group began to examine the particular characteristics of the
neighborhood around the LaSalle Branch Library. They are interested in
tracking where library patrons live, understanding the Library in the
context of the LaSalle Square Redevelopment Plan, reviewing public
transportation services to the neighborhood, etc.
Contact: Mayadene Paysoure mayadene1@att.net, 299-8635 or Mary Craypo, 271-7113.