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Hundreds gather for Southeast Regional Library community meeting

Staff reports

If one sentiment was shared among community members during Thursday night’s meeting, it was that closing Southeast Regional Library shouldn’t even be an option.

Between 350 and 400 people gathered at First Presbyterian Church Thursday, Feb. 4 to discuss the possible closing of SE Regional. RACHEL HEALY, GCNT

The crowd of nearly 400 town leaders, county officials and concerned citizens filled First Presbyterian Church to discuss the recommendation made by the library director, library staff and the community services director to close SE Regional. The community meeting, organized by the town, was the first gathering to discuss the proposal, though online efforts have been underway since The Garner Citizen reported on the issue Jan. 21.

Mayor Ronnie Williams and several Town Council members spoke about the importance of keeping the library open. Buck Kennedy and Gra Singleton reminded the crowd that although the issue has incited frustration from library patrons, the discourse should remain civil. Ken Marshburn asked how many people have a library card, and the response was a flood of raised hands in the audience.

Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown told the crowd that she will fight to keep SE Regional open.

“The library will not be closed as long as I am county commissioner,” she said.

Susan Dunathan, chair of the library commission, commended residents for organizing opposition.

“This is exactly what you should be doing. This is perfect.”

But some in the audience bristled at Dunathan’s explanation of why SE Regional was chosen as the library to be closed. Six criteria were applied that considered many aspects of a library’s value to a community, Dunathan said. When she explained that, based on the criteria, closing Garner’s library was the “least horrible decision,” the crowd grumbled.

The most salient comments came at the end of the evening, with various community members speaking at the podium. A variety of groups was represented, including homeschoolers, students, teachers, school administrators and long-time patrons.

Garner Chamber vice president and former school board member, Amy White, said that having a library is a significant asset to a town, as it is one of the factors that businesses consider when determining a new location. Former County Commissioner Phil Jeffreys called the proposal “the path of least resistance” for decision makers.

Garner resident Emma McManus said that Garnerians might be polite Southerners, but they would oppose all efforts to close the library.

“We’re not going to stand for this.”

Related articles:

• Who’s talking about Garner’s library?
• Garner library’s possible closing to be discussed at community meeting
• Wake County may close Southeast Regional Library in Garner

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