<< Back 12/10/03 The continuing saga of the joint library SMN Gary Carden describes the processes surrounding the proposed joint library as “peculiar” (Smoky Mountain News, Nov. 18). It has now gone beyond “peculiar” to surreal and disturbing. As you have no doubt read, the Jackson County commissioners voted to approve a recommendation made by the Joint Library Task Force to hire the Florida firm, Howard Jolly Clees Toppe, to conduct the feasibility study to determine whether a joint-use library is doable on the campus of Southwestern Community College. The commissioners approval came after a 3-2 vote by members of the task force and after hearing misleading information related to a recent survey distributed throughout Jackson County. It is instructive to learn how differently an event can be perceived. I was present when both firms presented their proposals. Here is what I observed. The Mosley Wilkins and Wood Firm out of Charlotte presented first. As this firm presented their credentials, they mentioned that they were engaged in projects in Cherokee and Bryson City. They have designed many libraries including the Greenville County Library in South Carolina. Though they have not designed joint-use libraries where one partner was a community college and the other was a public library, they have designed joint-use facilities such as a county library/fine arts center. The “Mosley” firm considers visibility, site, population, parking, environmental issues, and public opinion as they create a design. To solicit community input, they host open community meetings where they ask, “What is your vision?” They work to build consensus on the library design, believing that the library must be designed from the inside out. The Mosley firm’s timeline for conducting a feasibility study met the needs of the task force and they would do the feasibility study for $15,000 to $20,000. They stated that the joint facility would work architecturally, but, procedurally, would be more difficult. They also made the comment that the current library was in a prime location with the courthouse as its backdrop. The Howard Jolly Clees Toppe Architectural Firm, located in St. Petersburg, has designed joint-use libraries at St. Petersburg College, Broward Community College, and the University of South Florida. They engage a panel of joint-use experts who work pro-bono as they design joint-use facilities. As they engage the community in the design process, they host four focus groups composed of parents, teachers, retirees, college students, and library patrons. Information gathered at those meetings is analyzed and then reported to the task force. The Howard Jolly team talked about possible uses of the current library site such as a branch library with a particular focus — a business library, for example. This firm would charge $50,000 and would have their final report ready at the end of March. My notes regarding these two firms reflect my bias. For the Mosley firm, I used words like “beautiful designs reflecting the character of locations,” and “designs reflect a sense of place.” For those designs presented by the Howard Jolly firm, I said, “Open designs, but cold and institutional in nature.” This firm did say that “all libraries were institutional by nature.” I left the meeting with the thought — this is a no-brainer. The first firm will be selected because they were better prepared, cost a whole lot less, can meet the deadline, are much more open, and they design beautiful buildings. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the second firm was chosen! What happened? I don’t know because I did not hear the discussion and the vote since I did not know they were to take place that day. Nor did I know that the decision would made by the county commissioners that very night. You may reasonably ask why I care since I am one who does not want to see the public library moved from downtown. Well, I care because $50,000 is too much to pay for something we all know can be done. I care because decisions were to be made based on the presentations and that did not seem to happen. Though Mr. Rossano stated that he talked the Florida firm into doing it for $40,000, that negotiation did not take place during the public presentations. Based on these latest shenanigans, I ask the county commissioners to consider the following: ° I would like to read a minority report from Dr. Bunn and Ms. Young, who voted against hiring the Florida firm. What were their thoughts about the presentations? ° I would ask that the county commissioners halt this process now. Mr. Buchanan has stated in minutes that the feasibility study can be stopped at any time during the process. ° I would ask the commissioners to support a referendum during the May primaries that asks the question: “Do you support the joint-use library on the campus of SCC? Yes or No.” ° During the months leading up to the May primary, I ask that the county and town join together to sponsor a preliminary feasibility study on the site of the courthouse and old jail. This preliminary feasibility could be conducted by a local architect for much less money than either of the firms we heard. Approaching the library as a joint venture would also promote a joint-use facility: museum, meeting rooms, small theatre, and new public library supported by the county, town, and citizens of Jackson County. ° Finally, I ask that those in authority cease and desist from saying “Once they are educated, they will come to like it.” This statement has been made by Mr. Groves and Mr. Buchanan; it was stated by the library specialist from the Howard Jolly Firm; and it has been stated by some members of the task force. It is a most patronizing statement reminiscent of educational strategies practiced on American Indian children when they were removed from their homes to be “educated” in the “White Man’s Image.” To be told that the library move is in my own best interest and that I will understand once I am educated causes my blood pressure to rise! Linda Watson Sylva