Time to build library, free parking

I was a library director for 33 years and a library building consultant for more than 100 libraries during my professional career.

I don't agree with the site chosen for the Cedar Rapids library because it has been shown that those libraries do one-third less business than libraries sited at a heavily trafficked intersection. But that decision has been made and we must make the best of it.

The next test of the choice will be whether free on-site parking will be provided for the public. The ramp with or without a bridge to the library will not be used by the public. Human nature doesn't fight barriers. The railroad tracks are a natural barrier between the ramp and library site. People will be uncomfortable using a bridge at night.

Since city leaders are willing to pay for the more expensive site, I hope they also will provide free parking.

I also would like to give some support to Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk's concern. The sad truth is that many people who frequent bus terminals are down on their luck. This is a social problem that should concern us all. What libraries have to deal with is constant complaints from regular users about that “man who smells so bad,” or the woman who yells to herself and disturbs people around her. Every library occasionally has to call for outside help to deal with some of their people.

It's time to stop crying foul and get this library built.

Jim White

Cedar Rapids