Excerpt: I’d like to know if Appleton is the only city that meters the parking lot of its public library. Isn’t a public library funded by the public? Why should it have to fund the library and then pay to park?
As for your liking to know.
There are 19 public libraries in Dane County, plus 8 branches of the Madison Public Library. As far as I know, a visit to the Central Library is the only one that requires feeding a parking meter if you drive there. Unless you don't mind a walking a little bit. There's some free parking along the periphery of the Isthmus, but it can be a big waste of gas to troll for one.
Anecdotally, I know that the lack of free and convenient parking is one of the primary reasons people avoid using the Central Library. Of course, right now the it's undergoing a renovation and the temporary location draws much less traffic.
Although I haven't visited the Milwaukee Central Library in years, I suspect that free parking is as hard to find as an 8-track tape. (This link from the library's webpage seems to confirm this observation)
Photo credit: Retiring Guy
In answer to your funding question, yes, but then I think you meant it to be rhetorical.
As for the "why", I'm sure APL Director Colleen Rohrvedt could provide you with some background. I'd guess, however, the department responsible for this decision is the City of Appleton Parking Utility.
No comments:
Post a Comment