I actually know a lot of people that use the library. My mom is there a few times a week to get books for the grandkids, older people I play golf with use it for internet access during the summer because they are in other states in the winter and don't want to pay for service here, and lets not forget the homeless using the bathroom and computers (lol). They also offer programs for young children during the day and older children in the summer. I am not sure how I feel about spending money on a new one, it does seem crowded every time I drive past but I can also see a decline in customers coming as the internet generation gets older. I do, however, think if they are building a new one it is a terrible idea to build it in town, if they put it on the Hayden property they would have room to do outside activities and programs for the kids.
New library for Leonardtown - location?
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I actually know a lot of people that use the library. My mom is there a few times a week to get books for the grandkids, older people I play golf with use it for internet access during the summer because they are in other states in the winter and don't want to pay for service here, and lets not forget the homeless using the bathroom and computers (lol). They also offer programs for young children during the day and older children in the summer. I am not sure how I feel about spending money on a new one, it does seem crowded every time I drive past but I can also see a decline in customers coming as the internet generation gets older. I do, however, think if they are building a new one it is a terrible idea to build it in town, if they put it on the Hayden property they would have room to do outside activities and programs for the kids.
there is a segment of the population that lives in Leonardtown that would find the resources of the library useful. I know they don't exist in most people's eyes because they live out of site, blocks off the main drag. If this were the "big city" some would refer to it as "the projects'. But there are kids who could use the library after school but only if it were within safe walking distance.
For the person that asked about the library, my better half uses it for the old fashion purpose, she takes out books to read. Has an ereader and we certainly buy enough books - in fact we have made some donations to the library.
But she likes to pick up that book and read.
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
The Leonardtown library has been in two re purposed buildings and both have failed in the long term. With the population of Leonardtown and surrounding areas growing, it is time to build a 21st century facility to meet the needs of this population. Combine the library with the new Garvey Center and boom, instant living history classes right next door to Dr. Seuss and James Patterson. The Hayden property is the most logical place for this facility, not the "recreation and education complex" that was an insert in last week's County Times.
Hollywoodmom
Member
A very generous offer was made to donate the land for the library in town. 5 acres was the number mentioned at the county commissioner's meeting last week. The Leonardtown business association had several folks talk about what a boon it would be for the town to have it located there. Many others would prefer the 245 location.
So, here's what I think.
According to circulation statistics from the Leonardtown branch of the St. Mary's County Public Library, only 30% of those using library services are Leonardtown residents. Hollywood and California are responsible for most of the remaining 70%. A convenient site visible and accessible from a major artery in our county is essential for the many busy families that patronize this branch. Stopping in for storytime, picking up a book club novel, getting the kids there to work on research..the typical patron at this branch spends 20 mins, not hours.
A downtown site "sounds" lovely. Is it practical for the Leonardtown branch patron? No. Building the new facility downtown will not result in families strolling the downtown area, eating pricey food and browsing in boutiques.
I wonder if the donor of the downtown location would be this generous if they wasn't getting such a large tax write off for donating the land to a non profit organization?
Perhaps the land would be put to better use by building a family friendly restaurant with a small park.
Just some thoughts.
mitzi
Well-Known Member
Mattingly's? Where are they proposing to build it, in that field where the 2 old farm houses were? I didn't read the County Times article. Lawrence Avenue does NOT need that traffic. Ridiculous. Too many neighborhood people walk around and as I've b*tched about before rarely anyone takes into consideration pedestrians when they don't live here.
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kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
Yep M&G Funeral Home. The other parking would be that area behind Winegardner.
Mitzi, you might want to let your neighbors know what is being planned there. Just the extra traffic alone would be cause for concern. I doubt many people would want that quiet neighborhood disturbed.
I noticed in the County Times the plan for Leonardtown is to build the new library and a convention center. Really? Really? A convention center? What's next - an airport? It also mentioned that another way to get to the library from the north would be by boat. I'm sure many people will dock at the wharf, walk up the big hill to the library to return a book or get a new one. I just don't see that happening.
It is a valid point about what are the future of libraries. I remember when I was a teenager 15 years ago, main reason for going to the library was the free internet..and every once in a while research for a paper. Mostly though the free internet.
Seems like anymore, even kids on free school lunch are running around with internet connected smart phones, and most families have access to a Kindle or whatever. Kids today are pretty much being raised in a connected age, and will not really be into physical books. So at what point does the library go from being a building with a bunch of books to being more a community center/glorified coffee house.
Seems like anymore, even kids on free school lunch are running around with internet connected smart phones, and most families have access to a Kindle or whatever. Kids today are pretty much being raised in a connected age, and will not really be into physical books. So at what point does the library go from being a building with a bunch of books to being more a community center/glorified coffee house.
there will always be a segment of the reading population that likes the feel of a real book. Both young and old, sort of like vinyl records are making a comeback. Some people don't want digital music, they want the sounds from the record.
Yes, but is it a large enough segment to justify large use of public funds. Yes, people like vinyl, but record stores are not making a comeback.
mitzi
Well-Known Member
I hope this doesn't go thru. Too close to home for me and people zoom thru here enough now.
bluetorch
Member
Libraries aren't just about books, DVDs, and CDs. It's a community center. They offer free training and technology classes, internet access to those who can't afford a computer, resume assistance, advanced research tools that are only available to libraries and universities, reading to young ones, activities and programs for kids and teenagers, free movie nights, and much more. The Lexington Park library is the busiest library in the tri-county area. Check it out and you'll see why they are so important.
glhs837
Power with Control
I'm in there all the time, and you are right, the meeting rooms are always full, the computers in constant use, and I think it's location is important to that aspect. I would say a lot of Lex Parks traffic is pedestrian. And right now L-towns isn't, but how much of that is due to having to walk 1 mile or so to get to it?
mitzi
Well-Known Member
I just read the article in the Enterprise. One of town people said it would have 1000 visits per day. Lawrence Avenue can NOT handle 1000 vehicles on it per day. During the day hours you cannot even pull off of Lawrence Avenue to get on Route 5 (to make a left). The only safe way is to go up to the light by BurchMart. This is a bad idea.
Seahawk19
New Member
I'm not convinced parking is going to be a problem and I don't think traffic will either. I am concerned about putting a library so close to Duke elementary school. I'm not trying to get ripped for commenting on the homeless, but libraries do provide warmth during the winter and I'm not so sure Duke elementary wants that traffic. Save the land out on Hayden's farm for other projects (senior center, ball fields, anything that requires land) and take advantage of free land for a library.
but if you put the library outside the downtown area the riff raff will have more difficulty getting to the library. For sure we want to keep it away from the low income housing in Leonardtown, we don't want their type around a library.
glhs837
Power with Control
Our local indigents do indeed frequent the Lex Park Librabry, and you know what trouble they cause? None that I'm aware of.
mitzi
Well-Known Member
You're not convinced? Do you live on this street? If you don't, you can't say you don't think traffic will be a problem. There are tons of kids in Leonard's Freehold that would benefit from having the library within walking distance, that's the only bonus I see here. So it's okay for the homeless to go for warmth at the library if it's in town but not if it's near Duke Elementary?
I guess the kids at Leonardtown Elementary don't count. If the homeless can get to one location, they can get to the other. They would probably have to have a ride or take STS. There aren't hordes of homeless people milling around the town and if there were, they would walk up to Hayden Farm to get warm, just as they could walk to the current location. Please step outside of your bubble.
I drove down Lawrence Avenue yesterday to see where the new library would go there. There is NO WAY that little street could handle the additional traffic. Turning onto Lawrence Avenue from Route 5 heading north would be both dangerous and cause traffic to back up. The assurance that we could park in the Mattingly-Gardiner parking lot is generous, but what about when there is a funeral? Does it make sense to rely on that parking lot?
