New library does not need downtown location

There have been many times when I attempted to visit the downtown library only to be greeted by a full parking lot. And even nearby on-street parking was full. So I gave up.

This is why it is so disheartening to learn the library board is leaning toward the Emerald Knights site for a new library. Although parking will be very limited, there will be an unlimited number of hungry parking meters.

Where is it written that everything has to be located in the downtown area, with its lack of free parking? What will it take for the library board to divorce itself from the downtown interests?

There is ample space and acres of free parking at the Westdale Mall site, not only for a new library, but also for the county government.

Instead of going there just to shop, we could visit the library or county government. They are already there and certainly could expand. This could help the existing stores and could draw others.

But first we have to purge the prevailing pervasive downtown-only mentality.

Ken Thimmesch

Cedar Rapids