Quote:
Originally Posted by SDCAL
(Post 2946016)
I am confused by several pieces of logic here. First, I didn't realize that the same people who go to libraries are the same exact people who go to museums in Balboa Park?? What Balboa Park's attendance rates have to do with library projections?? I'm also not sure what American History has to do with it, many new cities out west have built new libraries successfully, including Seattle as someone pointed out.
I get the feeling the point of your statement is that San Diego is not cultured enough to value or utilize a new library even though that's not exactly what you said, I apologize if I missed your point
Every time I have been to the library it's packed, and a library is not just a place to check out books, it gives people who can't afford a computer or internet cafes the ability to get online. Libraries, including ours, are also used as spaces for many public and civic events (look at their website, there is always something going on). I admit I don't go very often, but that doesn't mean there aren't people who go more regularly.
Most importantly, the DT library is the central hub for SD countys entire library system, including the computerized card catalogue and central computing system. By the standards of ANY city of our size, the central library is an out-dated piece of crap that needs to be replaced now (the building is hostoric, so I would favor keeping that or incorporating it into a neew development, but the library itself should move)
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I am not trying to argue the value of developing the current East Village site for civic uses but I do question the need for an expensive new library.
FYI - Seattle voters decided to borrow money to build their new library. I haven't seen any outpouring of support in San Diego.
"Seattle voters in 1998 approved the largest library bond issue then ever submitted in the United States. The landmark "Libraries for All" bond measure, which proposed a $196.4 million makeover of the Library system, garnered an unprecedented 69 percent approval rate at the polls. The massive measure will double the square footage in Seattle's 22 libraries, including the building of new branches, plus also produce a new $169.2 million Central Library (including $10 million for the Temporary Central Library) to replace its worn-out 1960 predecessor."
1. Andrew Carnegie (US Steel) gave millions of dollars to start some original library systems throughout the world. We don't have a modern day Carnegie who doles out millions for their pet cause except if it is world health (Gates and Buffett) or African schools (Oprah). The orignial capitalists in this country (Rockefeller, Mellon, Morgan, Carnegie, etc.) saw the need to create massive public works in the East Coast cities to compete with the great cities of Europe. California's history sprouts from the Missions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library
2. You mention that the Library would become a center for culture and a meeting place. We already have Balboa Park as a center for culture and a meeting place. I don't see that Balboa Park is being overutilized and stretched to it's capacity yet. Also, the Children's Museum downtown still needs additional funding. San Diegan's (corprate and private) haven't shown a real penchant for donating large sums of cash.
3. People who frequent libraries and loiter all day, every day are called homeless, elderly, unemployed and/or latch key kids. If San Diego wants to help the homeless, elderly, unemployed and provide daycare, they can spend the $175+ million to address those issues.
4. It is 2007. The modern central computing system is called the internet. We don't need a $175 million building to house a few servers. The quest for knowledge is now provided electronically. Google and Microsoft have basically rendered libraries obsolete.
Students are still the predominant users of libraries. UCSD, SDSU, USD, San Diego City College should be able to take up the slack for legitimate users who need the services of the library.
The City is running on a huge deficit. We need good, job producing, tax generating projects, not more bloated government projects.