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Closing libraries a huge mistake

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Staff

By Alexandra Brown

I would like to comment on the proposed closure of the Carrboro Branch Library and the Cedar Grove Branch Library. I was employed at CBL from 1996 to 2003 and at CGBL in 2007-08. My experience working at these two facilities gives me unique insight into the vital role they play in the communities they serve.

At the Cedar Grove Branch, the collection might be small, but it is comprehensive.

Parents and their small children enjoy the wonderful storytimes provided by Isabel Jackson. When I worked there, our busiest time was after school when teenagers would come to use the computers for school projects or to catch up with friends. Later, their extended families would join them to check out books and maybe a movie for the family to watch together. These kids, and in many cases their parents, did not have transportation. We also had several people who came in daily to use the computers to apply online for jobs. Most of these people did not have computers or Internet access at home. In fact, at least at that time, the library was the only place in that community that had public high-speed Internet. If there were no library there to serve them, they would simply have to do without.

At the Carrboro Branch, the facility and the collection are much larger (and the county suggests giving the collection away if the library closes!), and many, many more will be disenfranchised if the library closes. People who work during the day cannot use the Cybrary for computer access. Not everyone can easily get to Chapel Hill Public Library, and CHPL has already stated that they cannot handle the traffic they have now. If CBL closes, they are certain to institute a steep charge for people who live outside the municipality, which will be prohibitively expensive for the very people who need library services the most. They cannot afford a computer or Internet. They cannot buy books for themselves or for their children. They cannot afford to pay for entertainment, which is provided free at the library in the way of storytimes and other family programming, as well as DVDs which may be borrowed free of charge (the latter being something not offered by CHPL).

Why is this even being considered? The answer is the county made a spectacular mistake. Without input from the community, or even the Library Task Force, they passed the building of a new library facility in Hillsborough without thought for how they would fund the extra staffing required by its faulty design. And now they want the citizens of southwest Orange County and Cedar Grove, and even Chapel Hill (if CBL closes, I suspect it won’t be much fun to fight the crowds there), to suffer for their mistake.

It goes without saying that there is no free transportation to Hillsborough. So while the relatively small community of Hillsborough will enjoy their lovely new library, many, many more will be left with nothing. I live in White Cross. It takes me 15 to 20 minutes to get to the Hillsborough Library, 20 to 25 to get to the CHPL, but less than 10 to get to CBL. I urge all citizens of Orange County to take action. Don’t let them get away with this. Don’t let the Orange County Board of Commissioners determine who shall have and who shall have not. We all have a right to equal government services. Please spread the word. Write the members of the commission. Attend as many meetings as you can.

Speak up for yourselves and the people in our community who may not be as fortunate as you.

Alexandra Brown is the Treasurer of the Friends of the Carrboro Library.

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