To the editor:

Branch library location and facility decisions have more dimensions than potentially drawing traffic away from downtown. Consider the following issues related to the location of public library and information services:

As the global economy rapidly moves from an industrial mode of production to an informational mode of production, cities and their citizens compete based on the ability to gather, store, process and disseminate information.

Public librarians are trained to assist communities and citizens understand their individual and communal information needs. Libraries cease to function primarily as book warehouses.

Information technology the personal computer and the Internet continue to radically change the location and function of library and information services in the information age.

In this new age investments in library and information service facilities should focus on the goal of advancing literacy to populations who do not already realize the survival value of books and information.

The planning commission might ask planning staff to overlay a map of the spatial distribution of current library card holders on top of factors that relate to lower literacy levels (of various kinds) in order to analyze how location and facilities design relate to specific services for citizens who would realize the greatest added benefit. As a matter public policy, this approach makes economic sense. However if the debate focuses, as it seems to have on the economic well being of downtown, decisions will likely cater to the aspirations of already well-connected information-rich citizens, as it were.

Rich Minder

Lawrence