Publication Date: Friday, November 11, 2005
Sparks fly over Downtown Library
Sparks fly over Downtown Library
(November 11, 2005) Distrust still lingers within community
by Bill D'Agostino
Here's how contentious Wednesday night's public meeting at Palo Alto's Downtown Library got: Library Director Paula Simpson said those who disagreed with her could complain to her boss, the city manager, "and maybe I'll get fired and that won't be all bad."
Another indication: When one resident asked that audience members who were questioning Simpson's motives refrain from personal attacks, another responded, "Who are you to tell us what to do?"
More than 50 residents packed into the small library to hear the library director's plan to move technical staff -- those who order books and prepare them for the stacks -- from the Main Library to the Downtown Library, thereby shrinking public space downtown by approximately 27 percent.
The change, Simpson told the crowd, is "the best solution to a miserable problem." It's necessary, she said, because there isn't enough space in Palo Alto's five branch libraries, especially at the popular Main Library.
The switch, which will be completed by the end of January, will allow for more space at the crowded Main Library for teen programs, teen collections, study areas, popular materials and numerous other improvements, Simpson said.
The Downtown Library was chosen for the technical staff because it has the least visitors per square foot, Simpson said. "It's very clear the space is available there."
In 2004-2005, around 70,000 customers visited the Downtown Library, while around 275,000 visited the Main Library, according to a recently released annual report.
The plan strongly displeased residents living near the Downtown Library, who felt they should have more say. The Friends of the Palo Alto Library offered to give the city $100,000 to purchase a portable building for the technical staff, but the City Council rejected the gift after officials said the idea would cost more than the group had presented.
Some downtown neighbors are also concerned about new housing developments being finished in the area. Ellen Wyman, a board member with the group, said the downtown population is mushrooming.
"I am not going to make every single decision about the operation of the library based on total community input," Simpson told the crowd. "It just isn't practical."
When she began Wednesday night's talk, Simpson -- aware there were sharp critiques coming -- told those who were there "for the massacre" to sit on one side of the room.
Immediately, some in the room questioned whether the controversial reorganization is permanent or temporary. Simpson essentially said it was both: It's temporary because she hopes to move the technical service staff out of the branch when another library is expanded, but it's permanent because there are no current plans for such an expansion.
But some residents -- who are still smarting from Simpson's rejected proposal to close the downtown branch -- accused her of "double speak."
"Stop using the word 'temporary,'" one man said. "That's what leads to this distrust."
Many who attended the meeting said they are fearful Simpson is trying to diminish the downtown branch, part of a covert plan devised by her and City Manager Frank Benest to close the library.
"It's a self-fulfilling prophecy," one woman said, to the applause of the crowd. Another man called it a "charade."
Simpson repeated over and over again that she had no longer had plans to close the library branch. The council rejected her proposal -- which would have also closed the College Terrace branch -- last December.
In the meantime, the city's libraries continue to have major deficiencies. The buildings are old and overcrowded; the librarians are overworked; the branches are only open for limited hours; and there are services that aren't being provided.
When longtime resident Vic Befera asked whether the problem was a matter of inadequate funding, Simpson responded with a long, emphatic, "Duh!" She also repeated the conclusion used to justify her controversial recommendation last December -- Palo Alto has five library branches but funding for only two and a half. The city budgeted $5.6 million for its libraries this year.
"I am going to continue trying to find a good long-term solution for this library until we find it or until Frank fires me or until I get tired of trying," Simpson told the crowd. "That's my mission; that's my strategy. Closing this branch swiftly overnight or slowly by strangulation is not on the agenda.
"You can decide to trust me or not, based on whatever your perception is. If you choose to not trust me, that's fine. I will prove otherwise, and I realize I will have to do that with my actions."
Staff Writer Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com.
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