ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 16, 1996 TAG: 9609160092
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: W. ROBERT HERBERT
OVER THE past month, there has been a lot of discussion in response to a study undertaken by the Roanoke City Library Board. Some questions have been raised regarding whether the city might consider closing some branch libraries or making other substantial changes.
Because such action would run counter to the city's ongoing plans to improve city neighborhoods, I want to clarify the fact that there is no consideration being given by city staff or Roanoke City Council to closing neighborhood libraries. But to clearly understand the issues, additional background information is necessary.
The Roanoke City Library Board is a City Council-appointed group of citizens who work to maintain and improve library services in Roanoke. It is a dedicated board that genuinely cares about library services and recognizes the important role libraries play in community educational efforts.
As part of its ongoing work to help identify goals and future plans for city libraries, the board wanted to have a comprehensive analysis of all the city's library facilities, looking at structural conditions, the potential for expansion and current and future utilization. The Roanoke Public Library Foundation agreed to match city funds to hire Providence Associates, a nationally known library-analysis firm, to conduct this study.
In early August, a preliminary draft report from Providence Associates was shared with the public. This study, as designed, only considered factual information such as the physical condition of city libraries, current and projected usage, and space needs.
The report didn't take into consideration the role libraries play in the fabric of the neighborhood or other critical issues, including the historical importance of the actual buildings. The report was intended to be a factual starting point from which the Library Board, and the library and city staff, could begin discussions about how our libraries can be maintained and improved to meet the community's needs in the 21st century.
It's critical to note that Roanoke City Council has made maintaining and improving city neighborhoods a priority. Our commitment to maintaining and revitalizing neighborhood schools is perhaps one of the strongest examples. Accordingly, neither City Council nor city staff are recommending eliminating neighborhood library services.
But the report does contain valuable information on all of our public libraries. Consolidating library services was only one of several alternatives presented. The detailed information in the report will be carefully reviewed and used by the Library Board and the city in addressing long-term issues for city libraries.
In hindsight, we shouldn't have released the draft report on libraries without stating our commitment to neighborhoods. Our goal on major projects and services in the city is to be facilitative, with the greatest amount of citizen involvement possible, while at the same time working diligently to avoid creating unnecessary concerns.
W. Robert Herbert is city manager of Roanoke.
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