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Library Bathroom Project Voted Down,
Security Brought Into Question
Security Brought Into Question
The Springdale library was on the agenda on Tuesday evening at the
City Council Committee Meeting of the Whole. The question, "do we
spend over $140,000 to renovate two sets of bathrooms in the
Springdale Public Library". The library was renovated in 2000 and the
square footage was doubled at that time. From the library website;
"Today, the Springdale Public Library is a state-of-the-art public library providing the community with books, audio visual materials, online research resources, computers and Internet access, as well as a full range of programming for all ages. The Library is open seven days a week, checks out approximately 1,900 items per day, and more than 1,500 people visit the facility daily."
In Committee on Tuesday the issue of security in and around the library was raised. In 2019 there were 154 calls to the Springdale Police Department for issues at the library. There have been multiple incident reports about criminal acts and innumerable instances of truancy during the school day. The study rooms have been used by groups of people reserving them for hours at a time to take shifts and sleep in them. This practice defended by members of the board and library administration in communication with private citizens and the committee meeting itself.
The renovation of the bathroom was voted down 4-3 with Amelia Williams, Colby Fulfer, Mike Overton and Brian Powell voting "No" and Jeff Watson, Rick Evans and Kathy Jaycox voting yes. Mike Lawson was unable to attend. The question was raised by multiple members of those in opposition as to whether the money, once available, would be better spent answering security concerns before aesthetic upgrades were considered. We will keep you informed as the timeline progresses on this and other projects throughout the city.
"Today, the Springdale Public Library is a state-of-the-art public library providing the community with books, audio visual materials, online research resources, computers and Internet access, as well as a full range of programming for all ages. The Library is open seven days a week, checks out approximately 1,900 items per day, and more than 1,500 people visit the facility daily."
In Committee on Tuesday the issue of security in and around the library was raised. In 2019 there were 154 calls to the Springdale Police Department for issues at the library. There have been multiple incident reports about criminal acts and innumerable instances of truancy during the school day. The study rooms have been used by groups of people reserving them for hours at a time to take shifts and sleep in them. This practice defended by members of the board and library administration in communication with private citizens and the committee meeting itself.
The renovation of the bathroom was voted down 4-3 with Amelia Williams, Colby Fulfer, Mike Overton and Brian Powell voting "No" and Jeff Watson, Rick Evans and Kathy Jaycox voting yes. Mike Lawson was unable to attend. The question was raised by multiple members of those in opposition as to whether the money, once available, would be better spent answering security concerns before aesthetic upgrades were considered. We will keep you informed as the timeline progresses on this and other projects throughout the city.