Sad Day for Escondido Residents

After a long, drawn-out political battle, Escondido City Council has voted to move forward with closing the East Valley Branch of the Escondido Public Library. This location, which has served patrons on the east side of Escondido for more than 15 years, will be sorely missed. This is the press release that was sent out:

East Valley Branch Library Closing June 16, 2011

On Wednesday, June 8th, the Escondido City Council passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2011-12 that discontinued funding the operation of the East Valley Branch Library, located at 2245 East Valley Parkway in the East Valley Community Center. The branch library will close effective Thursday, June 16 at 6:00 PM.

After June 16th, library patrons will pick up all reserved materials at the Main Library at 239 S. Kalmia St. As a convenience to the public, outside book return units at the East Valley Branch Library will remain open until mid-July. After that, all books and library materials must be returned to the Main Library.

The City Council has directed staff to explore options to maintain public access to branch library computers at the East Valley location; however, computer access will be unavailable until a new plan is developed and implemented.

The Main Library will continue to serve the community with computer access and to offer outstanding services and programs for children, teens, and adults. Summer Reading for childrfen and teens begins June 16th and runs through July 31st. For more information on these and other programs, visit the library's website at http://library.escondido.org/ or call 760-839-4683.

Teens Have a Voice...They Just Need a Platform!

When I recently found out that the Escondido City Council was once again discussing closing the East Valley Branch Library it broke my heart. This is my home base - where I started out my career as a professional librarian and the location that has grown and flourished over the last four years under my tutelage despite crippling staff layoffs and budget cuts. This is also where I run the majority of my programs and where my biggest tween/teen following is based.

I broke the news to my Crafty C.A.T.S. (Community Action Teen Service) volunteer group first, and their response was both immediate and impassioned.

"What?!? They can't do that! Where will I go after school?"

"I walk here and there's no way I can get a ride across town because my parents both work."

"We have to do something! Can we stand outside and hand out fliers?"

As I listened to them vent their outrage and confusion and plot ways to save their branch, someone piped up...

"When is the next City Council meeting? We should all get up and speak about why they can't shut this library down!"

They took this idea and ran with it...all the way to City Council. If you think teens don't care about the work that you do or that they're not willing to stand up for what they believe in you're wrong, and I have the video to prove it! (click on March 23, 2011, select Item 14, and forward to 4:11:33)

We'll have to see what impact (if any) their stories have on City Council's decision, but no matter what happens I'm SO proud of these young women for having the courage and tenacity to face their fears of public speaking and have their voices heard!