| WSB News |
Gwinnett Reconsiders Library Changes
(WSB Radio) -- The Gwinnett Library Board holds a special called meeting tonight to reconsider its proposed changes to the library system.
The changes include turning three of its 15 branches into computer-only labs including Snellville, Lilburn, and Dacula.
The plan has put residents in an uproar prompting three Gwinnett commissioners to send a letter to the board requesting it reconsider its decision or face loss of funding or reorganization itself.
WSB's Sandra Parrish found many visitors to the Snellville branch unhappy at the thought of not being able to check out books there.
"I know there's other libraries that are bigger that I could go to, but I just like this one because it has a community feel," says Georgia Herman who's been visiting the branch for 14 years.
Joe and Marty Blankenship have lived in Snellville for nearly 40 years and were happy when it opened.
"We've had a library as long as I can remember. It used to be out of a house on North Road and then part of city hall. We were so thrilled when we got this nice one," says Joe.
Tonight's meeting will be held at 6:30 at the Administrative Office, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville. No public comment will be allowed.
What others are saying
- KEEP THE BOOKS !!I go to the library as often as I can. I do not want my public library to converted into a computer lab. I check out books as often as I can. It's bad enough that the library had to cut hours. Electronic books will never replace paper books!!!
- re:Computer LabsDear Mr. T. Smith, In response to your post, "yes", I have been an avid library user and do live in a town that a library is proposed to be converted into a Computer Lab. Dacula. Which is why I commented. I personally would rather the local government make cut backs in there budget like the one proposed rather than have my taxes raised. Everybody is sacrificing in this economy including you Mr. Smith. It's just that I would prefer that the sacrifice be my choice than decided for me. I'm not sure if you understand that concept or not but if you pay taxes (which I assume you do) then I would think that you would agree that we pay too many already and raising taxes to keep obsolete library's open is ludicrous.
- Books, not lounges for kidsIt sounds like a good thing, but why don't you go hang out there one afternoon? You'll see the creatures that swamp the machines to play *games* on line all day long- not learning. Keeping books there is the best thing you can do to prevent this place from becoming a crime-ridden social club for kids without daycare.
- re: Computer LabsTo the author of the post titled Computer Labs-
Are you an avid library user who is losing your library? If not, I suggest you leave this topic to those who use the libraries and want to keep ours. - Computer LabsConverting Library's to Computer Labs seems like a wise decision in these economic times. Families have had to cut their budgets to adjust in this economy, why is it so hard to understand that the government needs to cut their budgets? With the ability to use the internet and downloads to read books and information, aren't paper printed books becoming obsolete? I'm no tree hugger but it seems that ultra liberals would be all for the closing of library's in order to save the trees!
- Library FundingIf any organization needs to have its funding yanked, its the Gwinnett County Commission. Let's not forget that the Commission caused this library trouble in the first place. Vote out the morons!
- LibraryHere's a concept....get rid of the library board and use that money for the LIBRARIES!!!!
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