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Library criticisms inaccurate

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Staff

Margot Malachowski

I am compelled to respond to the numerous inaccuracies regarding Orange County Public Libraries printed in local newspapers.

I understand that the residents of Carrboro are upset by the recent cuts to the branch library. These cuts are not a hit directed solely at the Carrboro Branch as implied. BOCC’s Barry Jacobs publicly stated that the cuts are a result of county-wide action to reduce temporary worker funds.

I doubt that the library director called for an imbalance in operating hours in an overt effort to reduce services to Carrboro as implied. Based upon my years (2004-2007) of reporting to Brenda Stephens, I am certain that she empowered each branch manager to make decisions about how to handle the system-wide cuts. It is very likely that the manager of the Carrboro Branch made the decision to close on Mondays whereas the managers of the Main Library and other branches made different decisions.

Linda Browner, on behalf of the Friends of the Carrboro Branch, comments that the 2007-2008 budgetary cuts “effectively removed the Spanish-speaking outreach position from the library.” This comment is certainly inflammatory, but it is not accurate. The Hispanic Outreach position originated as a grant-funded position. When the grant monies ended, this position was paid for by funds for temporary workers. There were no funds earmarked for Hispanic Outreach. The bilingual staff member who spent time providing outreach to the Spanish-speaking community left her position in 2007 to accept another job. Her position was not eliminated as implied.

The Friends of the Carrboro Branch persist in referring to the library in Hillsborough as a branch. It is not. It is the Main Library of Orange County, located in the historic district of the county seat. That library is the lifeblood of three branches: Carrboro Branch, the Cybrary and Cedar Grove Branch. Attacks against the Main Library to gain advantage for the southern part of the county are counterproductive.

I am discouraged that residents of Carrboro belittle the needs of the northern part of the county based upon the size of the population. The needs north of Hillsborough are great, especially during the difficult economic times that Evelyn Daniel referred to. This is a population without wireless access available in restaurants, coffee shops and public spaces; without access to other libraries, bookshops and children’s museums.

David Hart of The Chapel Hill News notes that, “The population of Carrboro and its outlying region is more than sufficient to support a fully functioning library.” I have no doubt that the population would use a library, but clearly neither Orange County nor the Town of Carrboro can financially support a fully functioning library in Carrboro. If that was possible, all the ugly arguments would be moot.

Margot Malachowski is a former manager of the Cybrary and Carrboro resident.

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