Library closings hurt, but may be best option. Panel did research, polling that buttress recommendations. (Charlotte Observer, 3/5/2011)
Excerpt: The local residents who made up the Charlotte Library's Future of the Library Task Force recognized that Wednesday. Their preliminary recommendation for six library branches to close or be run by volunteers or groups not funded by the county seems the best option based on current resources. But task force chair Jim Woodward spoke for many residents in saying: "None of us are comfortable with that."
Still, that's a well-thought out option, as are proposed funding cuts and a switch to per capita funding. Those ideas followed months of study and a survey done by Marketwise in January. The research findings buttress many of the panel's recommendations - the survey particularly so.
Survey says.....
87% say library system is extremely or very important to this community.
48% of all respondents and 55% of library users say county should provide more funding.
79 percent say remaining branches should be located where most number of residents can be served most efficiently, even if it means closing the library closest to them.
77% say branches should remain open in economically challenged areas.
59% support dedicated tax or fee for libraries
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