Neighbor patrons, no matter their numbers, benefited greatly from these libraries.
The Liberty Street branch of the Springfield Central Library was recently closed, and next to be closed is the Pine Point branch. Many residents stand in opposition. I am one of those residents. I disagree with one reason given for closure — lower use of these libraries. Neighbor patrons, no matter their numbers, benefited greatly from these libraries.
These patrons are mothers, fathers, and children. They are people who can’t afford to have a car, but are happy to have a branch within walking distance. They are students and workers who need access to computers and books to accomplish tasks that are handed to them, but don’t have those things at home. They are people who love to read, and consider the library to be an invaluable asset. They are still there, no matter their number.
Without a neighborhood library, what are they going to do?
I spoke to several loyal patrons before the closing of the Liberty branch. They all echoed the same opinion: a neighborhood library is important. They depended on it.
Emmanuel Adero described the Liberty branch as being “cozy, friendly, and neighborly.” He was in the middle of a Scrabble game, an amenity provided by this branch, before its closure His opponent Joe Wally agreed, saying, “It’s cozy, it’s quiet, and it’s centrally located.”
Sherica Gust, a ninth grader, was a patron of Liberty library for close to four years.
“I like the books, the computers, and the atmosphere in this library. If this library closed down, it wouldn’t be easy for me to go to another,” said Gust, of the building within walking distance of her home.
Evelyn Porter, who does not have a car, brought her children to the Liberty branch for six years.
“The location, the staff, the computers and the books. Also, there are a lot of activities for the children and it has a family dynamic,” she said of what she liked about the branch.
Twelve-year old daughter, Eliana, shared her mother’s appreciation, and had made rally posters to support the two branches remaining open.
“I can do schoolwork here and I find interesting books. Without the library, I wouldn’t have anything to do,” said Eliana, prior to Liberty being shuttered.
The Liberty branch is scheduled to be converted into a neighborhood senior center. The Pine Point library, on Boston Road, is supposed to close by October, and be converted to a community use that would include an expanded adult literacy program.
The closings are said to be part of a reorganization plan for the libraries that includes expanding hours at the remaining seven branches in Springfield.
Pine Point and Liberty should remain branch libraries. An article written on the website, Save The Libraries (www.savethelibraries.com), says that “the library has many roles to play in today’s society and remains an important part to all of us, no matter our stage in life.”
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website (www.gatesfoundation.org/) notes that “in many communities, public libraries are the only place where any person, regardless of education or skill level, can have access to information and the Internet free of charge.”
Libraries provide services that may seem obsolete, but are not. They provide books, computers, and activities. Neighborhood residents benefit greatly from a library. They find in it a place where they can learn, work, and have fun.
I was patron of Liberty library for years. I read there, I get books from there, and I was able to do my schoolwork there. Is it truly fair to overlook the needs of residents, like myself, and close a library?