Letter to the editor: The Rockport Library proposal

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 3:30pm

The Rockport Library Committee is using a heavy-handed approach to get approval for a new gigantic, expensive library. Apparently mesmerized by the Committee's spokesperson, the Select Board recently failed to see an important signal in the resignation of the president of the Friends of the Rockport Library. Disinterested in a moderate approach, the Library Committee's reasoning has suffered from bad mathematics, mishandled data, faulty conclusions and disguised objectives.

Rockport presently has a library of approximately 3,400 square feet located in the center of the village. The Library Committee notes increased patronage in recent years. It also observes that the work being carried out typically requires a 6,000 square foot structure.

Despite the fact that there is no evidence that Rockport's population will increase any time soon, the Library Committee jumps to the conclusion that we need a 14,000 square-foot library. This conclusion ignores changes in the publishing business with more readers turning toward Kindle and iPad for their reading.

It also ignores the fact that the high school's library now has a reduced schedule because students are not using libraries the way they had in the past. Since the only parcel of land that will allow that size structure is the site of the demolished Rockport Elementary School, every other possibility, including the library's present site, has been dismissed as inadequate.

Contrary to the headline in the recent "Bangor Daily News" opinion piece, the Library Committee does not have any plans to significantly increase the library's collection of books. It does not intend to develop a world class collection of any kind whether it be fiction, fact or fantasy. Instead, it is attempting to convince the community that we need a structure more than four times the size of our present library and costing from $3-$5 million to provide space for teenagers to congregate, where mahjong and bridge players can enjoy their games and where those favoring doing taxes in a group can be accommodated.

The committee members also believe it important to have space for ukelele lessons, an art gallery, meeting rooms and several more computers. Since those interested in these pursuits need to travel by car, we must have a parking lot. These crowds of people will also need several bathrooms. A break room where librarians can get away from the twang of inexpert ukelele players will also be necessary. Don't forget yoga. In other words, the Library Committee wants to build a community center or a recreation center, not a library.

The Library Committee became committed to its community center concept at least two years ago. The members chose to ignore the outcome of a survey of patrons that concluded the majority of residents want the library to stay just where it is. Next, instead of researching whether the present structure could be improved and expanded, they misused a $10,000 grant to design two versions of a fourteen thousand foot structure that couldn't be built anywhere but at the elementary school site.

When the residents began to balk at the committee's grand plan, they hired university personnel to host a so-called listening tour.

Unfortunately, neither the Library Committee nor the selectmen chose to listen during these sessions. Instead, they talked, argued and tried to sell everyone the committee's package. When asked for supporting data, we were referred to websites. In terms of resident response, these sessions may not have made a difference anyway since fewer attended the listening sessions then took the survey.

Discounting the strong views expressed by Library Committee members during those sessions, any observer would conclude that the vast majority of Rockport residents favor keeping the library where it is. What is more, we also favor keeping the library's mission as it presently exists.

In probable violation of the Open Meetings Act, but in sympathy with its Library Committee, Select Board Chairman Bill Chapman announced at Monday's Select Board meeting that there would be no public comment on the Library Committee's proposal to put their plan on the November ballot. He admitted to making that decision on his own that very morning.

When pressed by Selectman Jeff Parker to allow five minutes for procedural questions, Chapman was forced to momentarily relent. When asked if in the spirit of fair play proposals other than the Library Committee's would be allowed, Chapman interrupted the speaker stating that the question asked was out of order. Even the petition signed by 100 Rockport residents requesting that other ideas be considered went unacknowledged. It was ignored as if it had never been received, effectively demonstrating that the views of residents do not count for much.

Moments later, in a fit of bad temper, Chapman shouted "No", banging the gavel and ending the brief question period. While he later apologized for his outburst, the discussion was never allowed to continue. The Library Committee's spokesperson, however, was allowed to make a full presentation supporting the ballot proposal. Since most residents left in protest earlier in the meeting over Chapman's refusal to listen to the community, these remarks were made to the Library Committee and selectmen but virtually to no one else.

While the Library Committee's steam roller continues to move forward fueled by selectmen but with minimal support from the community, other ideas are being developed. Contrary to what we had been led to believe by the Library Committee, the present library structure can be improved and even enlarged. Recognizing that the Library Committee has never shown much interest in ideas other than their own, the alternative plan is being developed independent of the both Library Committee and the Select Board.

A danger we face is that the Library Committee may have someone with deep pockets willing to ante up half the money required for their pseudo library at the elementary school site. Free money is always difficult to refuse even when it offers an inferior or even damaging result. The preliminary plans being developed by residents outside the committee solve many of our library's present problems without unwarranted expense. Not only will it will be a good looking structure well used by patrons, it allows the town to preserve the former elementary school property for some better future purpose and comes with a far more modest cost than the committee's plan.

While a community center may be a good idea for the future. It is an idea for another time. We first need to take care of Rockport's lovely little library to make it even better.

Thomas A. Latta lives in Rockport.