Letter to the editor: Response to Helen Shaw’s library letter

Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:30am

The Friends of Rockport agree that the current library is inadequate in terms of space for all of the reasons that Helen Shaw mentioned — additional books, access for those with mobility issues, limited working space for librarians and limited space for programs for children and teens. And, we agree that there should be more parking.

We have circulated a plan to add 2,600 square feet to the existing library and eight dedicated parking spaces on Limerock Street, bringing the total space in the library to 6,000 square feet — almost double what is there at present. According to the Library Steering Committee’s June 2014 report, “the library ideally should occupy about 6,500 square feet to meet the current and desired programming needs”.

Also, according to their report, there should be one parking space for every 300 square feet of building space, a total of 20 spaces for a 6,000 square foot building. There are certainly 20 parking spaces within a block of the library. With some creative thinking about parking — making the spaces on Limerock Street “Library Only” and 2 hour limited parking — we feel there are enough parking spaces in the vicinity to accommodate any library event. (There are 172 parking spaces in a two to three block radius, according to the Library Committee’s report).

The Friends of Rockport’s solution is fiscally responsible, meets the needs of the community, and keeps our beloved library where it is, in the center of the Village.

A no Vote on Articles 8 and 9 will stop the plan to build a NEW 10,000 square foot library with 47 parking spaces on the RES site.

The consequences of a yes vote for Articles 8 and 9 are an increased tax burden and an abandoned library in the center of the Village. This property can only be used a a library as stipulated in the gift of the property to the Town. It cannot be converted to a museum as Ms. Shaw suggests.

Constance Gibbons lives in Rockport