Poll: Will you vote for the $18 million library expansion proposal? / LJWorld.com

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Response		Percent	Votes
No		59%	1023
Yes		35%	604
I don’t know		5%	88
Total	1715

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sierraclub 2 years, 7 months ago

No way!!!

larrytowngirl 2 years, 6 months ago

If they are going to spend so much $ for a "library addition" I think that $18 Million, which we know will end up being much more, should be used to build a small library on the south side of town! Lawrence has grown too much to only have one library.. no sense in making it BIGGER~ the library needs to better serve those in other areas of this ever-growing town.

lynchburgsbest 2 years, 7 months ago

i would if it included either a satellite location or a all together new location that was away from the pool. i would also consider it if it dint include a parking lot expansion which every one knows is being done not for the library but for the pool

cheeseburger 2 years, 7 months ago

And for the Eldridge Hotel expansion!

pace 2 years, 7 months ago

I love a good library, if this community wants class, soccer fields, baseball, football fields and roundabouts don't improve the minds or the employment edge of our youth.

bigdave 2 years, 7 months ago

Employment edge? What employment?!!

runescapeman 2 years, 7 months ago

i agree

pace 2 years, 7 months ago

My guess is you have no experience with using a library. As a child I poured through shelves like a buffet, looking at thoughts, history, geography, skills. At different times I got stuck in different genres, biographies, literature, how to, history. If you hire a reader you hire more than a warm body. I used it to help me find jobs and understand communities. Libraries are more than just books, they are guided maps of many crossroads of information and knowledge.
Accessing and retrieval are key skills. Using the library gave me an edge at some of the jobs where I competed with people who merely were educated, I believe the most important education is the where one has educated themselves. Good schools, good family, are great but libraries can help someone overcome deficiencies of schools and home. I think experience with a good library will even help those that google it all, they will ask the better question.

David Roberts 2 years, 7 months ago

I agree with the picture you paint of the way the library should be used. I spent many hundreds of hours perusing the stacks of our local library, the world-class libraries at the University of Kansas, and--in my younger days--the Olathe Public Library, Johnson County Libraries, MNU library, and the JCCC library.

This proposal does nothing to support the uses you describe though. It builds a facade, a parking garage, and constructs an additional 20,000 square feet on some of the most expensive land in Lawrence, when people are tripping over themselves to highlight alternative locations all over town that could be leased for a song. Additionally, this proposal seeks to purchase 100 computers, which I am not convinced would be used like you suggest they would.

pace 2 years, 7 months ago

i am sorry you don't have work and can't find work. I suggest you go to the library and use the resources to find what work is available and also to improve your skills. Even when I don't have a "regular" job I have always found work. If you aren't doing anything, get out there and volunteer, Maybe if you volunteered at the library you could change your life.

jafs 2 years, 7 months ago

"I believe the most important education is the where one has educated themselves" is an odd sentence.

If employers aren't hiring, then all of the education in the world won't help - I think that was the point of the above comment.

pace 2 years, 7 months ago

You are saying if employers aren't hiring then there isn't any work. That is an odd sentence, What is wrong with that sentence? Can't find a job is different than can't find work. I know several people when they couldn't find the right job turned their hand to work. You might of been raised so you believed other people were employers and you were to be given a job. Go to the library, I suggest reading biographies or self help books.. If you don't have work, and can't find work, get out of the house. Start at the library,. I know of some jobs for people with good language skills, If you really mean that right now employers aren't hiring in Lawrence and that education and skills won't help you because there are no jobs. Then you are delusional. I doubt if you are, you are just saying untrue things to make some point. Learning and community are worth investing in.

jafs 2 years, 7 months ago

I'm not currently unemployed and looking for work.

However, many others are - the real unemployment percentage is probably around 20%. If employers continue laying people off, and not hiring new employees, people will not be able to find work, regardless of how well educated they may be.

"might have" is the correct usage, not "might of".

The obvious need right now is for jobs, not a library expansion.

pace 2 years, 7 months ago

You got me on "might have", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-ao...). I got you on lack of substance and posturing, trying to portray yourself on the unemployment line. Nowhere in your argument do you suggest what incentives would help the unemployed. You just say vote no to a community resource. A resource which will help people looking for employment, develop skills and/or just educate themselves. A flag waving no in honor of those unemployed. Get off your rear, start a business, hire people. You might be able to get some ideas at the Library.
Are you saying money and rules should be changed to encourage small businesses? Are you saying the money should be spent to kick republicans butt? We don't know what you are saying, maybe you associate a better library as increasing unemployments? At least say what you think would help the unemployed. At the very least make a statement, say how money might be spent. It is a choice to improve the library or not. To suggest not improving the library would magically turn into funds or regulations that created jobs is thin. Unless you are a tea party person, then just yell "heck no" you will not be expected to make a reasoned argument. Many will just admire your grass roots enthusiasm. Of course that doesn't help working families bring home the bacon.

jafs 2 years, 6 months ago

Too late probably - I had forgotten about this thread, but...

You're the one arguing that we should vote for an $18 million expansion of the library because it will increase educational opportunities and help people find work.

I think you're mistaken.

And, I never tried to portray myself as unemployed.

The reasons given for the need for this expansion are to increase the number of computers, expand meeting space, and provide more parking.

None of those are good enough reasons to vote yes for this project right now.

This is not money we have already in the city coffers and can spend on one thing or another - it is money we don't have.

Are you starting a business and hiring people?

I'm not "anti-library" as some are - I am against this expansion at this time.

If you're sincerely interested in my ideas about how we should structure public policy, you can probably easily find them by searching these comments sections.

I'm in favor of legalizing all drugs and taxing them. I'm in favor of eliminating waste and fraud in government programs. I'm in favor of programs to help those who need help. I'm in favor of doing anything we can do persuade or require companies to stop outsourcing jobs and hire Americans. I'm in favor of more reasonable CEO/average salaries. I'm in favor of regulations to ensure that employees are treated well and compensated fairly. I'm in favor of changing the corporate culture so that CEO's are personally affected by their failures.

Just a few there for you.

consumer1 2 years, 7 months ago

I have already voted NO!

50YearResident 2 years, 7 months ago

Dollar keeps falling as investors await Fed action.

runescapeman 2 years, 7 months ago

its a waste of money, in 10 to 15 years books will be history. the world is going to the ipad and the kindle. Spend the library money on putting more technology in the library.

Kansas_Girl 2 years, 7 months ago

It think that this will be great for Downtown! And for our families!!

whats_going_on 2 years, 7 months ago

YES! VOTE NO! This poll looks promising. I was SO afraid that this stupid idea would actually pass, but if this poll predicts the turnout, than we're all good.

alm77 2 years, 7 months ago

As I recall, the poll didn't reflect the final vote on the T in 2008. There are usually disclaimers on these that say "this is not a scientific poll"...

BigPrune 2 years, 7 months ago

This is Lawrence, Kansas the liberal bastion of the midwest.

I had a dream that everybody will vote no but miraculously the library will be passed by an overwhelmingly large margin.

My dream made me question if my vote really counted.

I had the same dream about the M-T Bus tax that got passed in reality by an overwhelmingly large margin. In reality it was 70% for and 30% against.

....but they were only dreams.

kernal 2 years, 7 months ago

Okay, so we build a bigger and better library. What about the parking? During the swim season, there is no place to park for library patrons as most of the spots are taken by people using the pool. The Senior Center is also hurting for parking spaces during the summer and I imagine the Fire/Med folks in the adjacent building are tight for parking spaces as well. Then there are the folks wanting to eat at Local Burger, the employees who work on the East side of Vermont, Eldridge patrons and downtown shoppers.

Tell me what your plans are for parking and maybe, just maybe, I'll change my vote from No to Yes.

Keith 2 years, 7 months ago

Did you miss the part of the plan that calls for a 2 story parking garage?

helloannie 2 years, 7 months ago

Nope. It's a terrible plan and frustrating that the library board refuses to hear what the citizens want and just go along with their own plans.

oneeye_wilbur 2 years, 7 months ago

Yes, just to create more debt and hopefully the city, county and school district employees have some layoffs so they get a taste of what living on less is like.

The Journal World "top" reporter is at the library today interviewing the staff about what they want, etc and etc. The Journal World is going to give the public another pity story. Too bad the reporter didn't bring a camera along and photograph the dirty place along with the other problems. The Journal World will never give the facts about the cost of the expansion.

For example, how much is the architect's fee? How much does it really cost after being off in 20 years? That's a pretty simple inquiry, Mr. Reporter.

normal_entire_route 2 years, 7 months ago

"after being off?"

oneeye_wilbur 2 years, 7 months ago

thank you,

paid off in 20 years. go to nebraska furniture mart and see if they will finance your furniture for 20 years. We must have a library board and city commissioners that don't have a clue about finances.

GardenMomma 2 years, 7 months ago

Isn't there a less expensive way to improve the library? I'd love to see some expansion, but not at $18 million!

LarryNative 2 years, 7 months ago

I agree. Can't some local architect and the Fritzels do the work at cost for the community that has made them millions of dollars?

booyalab 2 years, 7 months ago

Everyone who balks at the idea gets to this step. At that point, you have to realize that it's not about the stated reasons. It's about big fat raises, benefits, and a more luxurious environment for the ones who work for the library.

rlsd 2 years, 7 months ago

I wish times were better but in these economic times it has to be a NO vote. I just cannot justfify it right now. I only wish we had the cash back on roundabouts, sports related items, etc. that would have been better spent on a library during better days.

phoggyjay 2 years, 7 months ago

Yeah... illiteracy for you and me!

LogicMan 2 years, 7 months ago

Satellite (branch) libraries {not up for a vote}, yes. This luxurious monstrosity, no.

Switzi 2 years, 7 months ago

Do you know what is involved in building a satellite or branch library? It is a new reference collection, a children's section, staff, computers, furniture, overhead, etc. It is not cheap. I also wonder if all the people who want the branch built live over in west Lawrence -- another way to avoid mingling with the commoners of Lawrence.

zaxback 2 years, 7 months ago

I think the timing is a bit bad on this one...

Moderate 2 years, 7 months ago

I will vote for the 14M for the library and hold my nose about the 4M for business interests

voigtlorenzo 2 years, 7 months ago

If the county is SOOOOO short on funding then why would they even consider this....seriously!

Liberty275 2 years, 7 months ago

not even close.

sweatybutcher 2 years, 7 months ago

Let's build America. Let's use local contractors. Get off your butt. Pony up!

cletus26 2 years, 7 months ago

not a bad idea; not the right time though!!

overplayedhistory 2 years, 7 months ago

Yeah forget resources for the less fortunate, who wish to better themselves. In fact lets burn the one we got.

MacHeath 2 years, 7 months ago

I think Lawrence should think out-of-the-box on this one. A large central library is the old way of thinking. Ramping up digital access is the way to go. Have a few free computer facilities around town, so even folks with no computers could access. Its green too!! Turn the old Carnegie library into a children's library; it is under-utilized at present. The space vacated by the large children's section would allow some expansion at the present site. Let the Fritzels build a parking garage for the hotel with their own money!

RuralWanderer 2 years, 7 months ago

MacHeath is right on.

walkthehawk 2 years, 6 months ago

This is the first "no" post I've seen that has actually thought through some alternatives ("Build a satellite branch!," for the reasons Switzi mentions above, does not count as thinking it through). If this initiative doesn't pass, I hope the powers that be will consider something along the lines of these ideas . . .

oneeye_wilbur 2 years, 7 months ago

I will vote YES just to drive as much debt possible to the city and then sit back and watch the city, county, and school district employees want a raise to help pay their property taxes. That raise they wil get and then in the end the final smile comes from wilbu when the dolts that voted on these bond issues get laid off.

If voting yes gets some layoffs, I say go for it.

School district = two ill conceived bond issues. EmpTy sales tax = torn up streets and worn out buses Library bond issue = too late, should have been done more than three years ago when there was a slight chance of having revenue to pay the bonds off. Who in their right mind now wants a bond issue for a library that buys new furnishings, new carpet, paint, and etc and takes 20 years to pay it off. Foolish financial planning.

Those costs should be paid up front, as well as architects, etc. Journal World will never, ever write a story detaililng the true expenses and how they are paid out over 20 years. Why?Because then the bond issue might fail!

Clevercowgirl 2 years, 7 months ago

Too bad there are not required financial disclosures for the voters. It would be good to see the actual costs of what are voting for. Or what people are approving for us. I say More Transperancy! If there is this much question as to where technology will be in the next few years, let's wait it out and see.

cadillac 2 years, 7 months ago

Improvements for larger and more meeting rooms and for my computers for internet access? Are you at the library now reading this? I doubt it. I will vote NO. We are Taxed to Death. Stop already.

mr_right_wing 2 years, 6 months ago

TURNIPS, Can't get blood from a...

grouth 2 years, 6 months ago

mabe our city leaders that voted down the tax dollars from lowes should pay for the library.------not me!

oneeye_wilbur 2 years, 6 months ago

It is a trick question, the poll question. It asks "will you vote" It does not ask how you will vote. So thus far, by looking at the responses, it appears that many will not vote and the bond issue will pass.

Another Journal World liberal , touchy feeling tactic.

rantor 2 years, 6 months ago

Re-read it. It says, "Will you vote for..."

Next, they'll probably propose the the depot be included in this. (Hey, it would be a great place for the homeless to hangout) Tear it down!

If they just wait long enough, they can use all the old Blockbuster video stores as satellite locations.

booyalab 2 years, 6 months ago

I hope that all the people who voted "no" will actually get to the polls on Tuesday. We need the money dispersed throughout our economy, not concentrated in the pockets of a few civil servants.

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