What is the City Manager thinking?

Julia Carroll, Evanston City Manager, blithely suggests: "Close the Branch Libraries, which is a savings of $284,700. While I realize that the City Council has twice rejected previous recommendations to close the branch libraries, library services can still be provided if the branches are closed."

Ms. Carroll says nothing of the human cost of these closures. Of the Senior Citizens who will be cut off from books, magazines and newspapers. Of the children who will lose access to reading programs and an immediate source of gratification by going to the library for new books and DVDs.

Oh, la de dah, la de dah, of course Ms. Carroll probably thinks that all these people can simply drive downtown to the main library, deal with the hassles and expense of that time consuming trip. Many of these Seniors might not be able to drive or, for that matter, afford the trip and still be able to pay Evanston's inflated taxes. Likewise, the burden of bundling children into a car for an otherwise needless trip is not pleasant either.

Now let's look at the reality of Ms. Carroll's suggestion.

According to her own figures, the entire cost of operating both branch libraries - $284,700 - could be saved by simply eliminating two City government jobs. Ms. Carroll, for example, acknowledges that eliminating the position of Emergency Preparedness Manager will result in net savings to the City of $ 162,000 in two years. Eliminating another unnecessary position, such as the "sustainability coordinator" would support the branch libraries handily for a year or more.

But before Ms. Carroll will cut City jobs that contribute nothing of significant value to the city and its taxpayers, she will close the branch libraries that offer pleasure, entertainment, knowledge and socialization to thousands of children and adults. Also noteworthy is that new hires will add more than $2 million to the City budget - almost ten times what it would cost to keep the library branches open.

Am I the only person who fails to grasp Ms. Carroll's logic?

Saving Evanston's Branch Libraries

The City of Evanston is once again threatening to shut down the city's two branch libraries.

Though these libraries serve thousands of people, young and old, the City is once again claiming a "budget crisis".

For Senior Citizens, the closing of the branch libraries might mean being cut off from the joys of reading even the daily newspaper and a local source of socialization. Instead, Seniors would be forced to drive downtown and its hassles with traffic and parking. Ironically, the City of Evanston found the money to hire a "sustainability" director to find ways of reducing pollution, but seeks to increase automobile use. Wisdom in action. Of course, some city official, elected or staff, will suggest using public transportation . . . a truly brilliant suggestion to make to Seniors in winter.

For parents of young children, the story is the same. Mothers in particular will be urged to gather their little ones together for a trip downtown. Yes, so easy for city officials to suggest because they don't concern themselves with realities.

Evanston's branch libraries are an important part of the local neighborhoods and must be preserved. It is important to let Evanston city managers and officials know that you will not tolerate the closing of the branch libraries.

Jerry