Published: August 26, 2009 01:08 am      

Letters to the editor - Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009

Service disruption will impact patrons

On pages A1 and A12 of the Kokomo Tribune Aug. 20 edition, there appeared an article on the library’s main branch renovation project.

I am sure that Susan Luttrell and Charles Joray are good at their respective duties, but when it comes to framing a renovation plan they need to go back to the drawing board.

I have stated, time and again, that if they could not devise a renovation plan that would guarantee total public access and uninterrupted main branch services during the renovation, then they need to devise a new plan.

Apparently Mrs. Luttrell and Mr. Joray have zero regard for the members of the public who use their services. This disregard is evidenced by a) the fact that, according to the Tribune article, the books and computer lab will be moved to the Columbian School on East North Avenue, some 17 blocks to the north.

And b) the fact that the genealogy department is being moved to a location on South Webster, south of Alto, 30-plus blocks to the south. One of their departments is being moved to a now-vacant law office across from the courthouse, although I suspect that this is not a public access department.

My complaint, in the event that continued public access is not possible, is that they did not even try to keep everything together, within walking distance from the main branch.

The current plan apparently calls for some services to be relocated 17 blocks to the north and 30-plus blocks to the south, for a combined total of between 47 to 50 blocks. For those without transportation limitations, perhaps that is not a problem. However, many of us are currently dependent on public transit. It is those who will be negatively impacted. That is how the library board demonstrated its total lack of regard for those of us who use the library.

If any of you readers feel as I feel, write to Susan Luttrell and/or Charles Joray, Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, 220 N. Union St., Kokomo, IN 46901. If enough of you write soon enough, perhaps the library board will rethink its plan.

Kenneth Crockett, Kokomo