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Garner library’s possible closing to be discussed at community meeting

Garner’s local leaders are asking community members to unite in opposition to a proposal by Wake County to possibly close the town’s long-standing library.

The town issued a release this morning announcing a community meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at First Presbyterian Church of Garner. In the statement, officials say the library’s high usage warrants the county’s reconsideration.

“With the Southeast Regional Library Branch being one of the busiest branches in the system and its visitors being around 780,000 per year, that alone is reason enough to leave it open,” said Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams.

In response to a request from the county manager, Wake’s Department of Community Services – which includes libraries – has identified closure of the popular branch as part of a possible $1.2 million cut to the library system’s budget next year.

Here’s the full statement:

Garner’s Mayor and Town Council will Hold a Community Meeting to Discuss the Possible Closing of the Southeast Regional Library

Contact:  Michelle Howell, Public Information Officer
Telephone: 919-773-4418
E-mail:  mhowell@garnernc.gov

Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams and the members of the Garner Town Council were surprised and disappointed to learn that Wake County library officials have recommended the closing of the Southeast Regional Library to the Wake County Commissioners. The Southeast Regional Library Branch, located in Garner, adjacent to Town Hall, celebrated its 20th year of operation this past spring.

The branch is one of the county’s busiest regional libraries with approximately 780,000 visitors per year.  The proposed August 2010 closing has been recommended by library officials who anticipate that they may need to trim $1.2 million from the department’s budget for fiscal year 2010-11.

Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams and the Garner Town Council have scheduled a community meeting to discuss the recommendation.  The Town would like to invite Garner residents, and all Southeast Regional Library patrons, to attend on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Garner, located at the corner of Lakeside Drive and Hwy 50.

Town elected officials have received numerous contacts from citizens and library patrons who have expressed their disappointment and disbelief over the recommended closing of the Garner library.

Mayor Williams stated, “On behalf of the Town Council, I can assure our residents that we are not taking the news lightly and we are preparing ways to organize the Town and community so we can determine the most effective way to voice our opposition.  Over the past weekend, the Town started the process of gathering people together and arranging a community meeting so we can work to establish the process we will take to be certain that our voices are heard. With the Southeast Regional Library Branch being one of the busiest branches in the system and its visitors being around 780,000 per year, that alone is reason enough to leave it open.”

Town elected officials are concerned that the Southeast Regional Library may provide the only opportunity for computer access to many young people and school students in the area. Closure of the library would be detrimental to the education of those students who may not have access to a computer at home to use for homework, school projects and research.

At the upcoming Garner Town Council work session on Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Mayor and Town Council members plan to sign a letter that they have composed to the Wake County Commissioners, which states their opposition against the closing of the Southeast Regional Library.  Mayor Williams said, “Garner citizens have always rallied together when faced with adversity and I am confident that we will again.  Together we can make a difference.”

Related articles:

• Garner to hold second community meeting about Southeast Regional Library
• Organizers aim to attend all county meetings on Garner’s library
• County: Closing Garner library a ‘strategy’ that may not be needed; Commissioner vows to keep it open

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