Library Security Issue- Fact or Fiction

[The Real World-052s]

[anon;4q6-04q3]

That is so well stated. The fact is, their conclusion is FICTION. This New library has been jammed down our throats in such a shameful way it makes me sick. We can't protect everyone from every possible thing that may possibly happen at any time to anyone. The false pretense that this burden to the taxpayers is being perpetuated on is a disgrace.
The township committee's considerate and thoughtful action regarding funding [as reflected in their minutes] was countered by the disrespectful payback action of the Library in their most recent notice of reduced hours,additional closed days, and increased fines! The gang that runs that monopoly needs a good dose of frugal reality and should give us a break --not break the taxpayers bank accounts.

[anon-5651]

Let me begin by stating I support the library and have pledged money. I think a stand alone library would have a lot of benefits. Provided it is fully self sustaining and is built on private funds.

That said, I too am tired of the safety issue. If we want a truly secure school we'd board up every entrance except the main office and hire a security guard to stand there. Why don't we? Because it is illogical to do so.

I moved to Cranbury because of the town and character. I moved here because we do have a safe school. Let's not act like we're high risk.

As a supporter I am annoyed with this argument about school safety because it preys on fear not sound judgement. If someone is so ill to want to cause harm then they find a way regardless. Look at 9/11, the WTC was secure, but no one expected one plane let alone two to hit it.

I have suggested this path is alienating people, but my advice has not been taken in this matter.

Further, there is no convincing anyone on either side I have found. Those opposed will remain so and those actively engaged only see one side.

The vast majority from what I see in the middle need to decide on their own.

[anon;oq46-04q3]

Yes the folks that are in the middle of this decision whether or not to support this Libray should really look at the monetary facts at hand. The Municipal Library Tax rate shown on your tax bill, in the upper right hand corner of your bill, is something that needs to be considered. The current rate is .034 per $100. of assessed value. That rate is not applied fairly by household but by the valuation of your property. For example a home in Four Seasons valued at $400,000. would pay $136.00 per year, a small home in the village valued at $300,000. would pay $102.00,a home in Shadow Oaks valued at $600.000 would pay $204,00. a Cranbury Walk or Cranbury Greene home valued at $1,2mil. would pay $408. and a Liedke Drive home of 1.5 mil. would pay $510.00.This payment is made each and every year. This is a considerable amount of money for something that the overwhelming percentage of folks do not want nor use. Its about time the township really takes a stand on this issue and forces the Library Board to spend the dollars they have in their bank account that have been witheld from the taxpayers in order to fund this ill conceived project. This project will saddle the taxpayers with a financial burden forever. Its about time the Library Board is forced to return the unspent funds from each year as is the N. J. State law regarding unspent funds. The way these unspent tax dollars have been misappropriated in a deceitful selfserving manner has cost and will cost all of us taxpayers forever.These funds should have been used to lower our tax rate if the township had closely watched over how this was being done to us over the years.

[anon-5651]

[anon-257q]

There's an easy way to settle whether a majority of people in Cranbury want a new library. A referendum. Yet every time this is proposed supporters of the new library have excuses on why not to do this, all the while saying most people want it. Why avoid a referendum if they believe the majority would support it? And why is it only those skeptical of the new library who are open to leaving it to a public vote?

[anon2121-53s8]

Hiding behind the safety of the children is both disingenuous and hypocritical. Everyone knows cranbury school is very safe otherwise we wouldn't have sent our kids there when we did.

Furthermore there are LESS kids to hide behind each year. Library supporters should find better ways to spend other peoples money. That should not be very difficult.

[anon-0o99]

Kirstie Venanzi, President, Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees

Safety issue:
Cranbury Public Library and the Cranbury School work together to provide a safe environment for the students, public patrons, and staff. However, having the public library in a separate building will help the school maintain the standard security standards that they have established for the rest of the building while allowing the school to fully use their library. Public libraries are safe places. Cranbury is a safe town.

Reason for the new library:
The new building will meet the needs for a 21st century library that will serve as community center with expanded meeting/program space. Both the town and the school have doubled in size since 1969 when the current building was built. space.

Funding issue:
NJ Municipal Public Libraries are established by referendum. By law, public libraries receive 1/3 of a mil of EVA as minimum funding from the town. EVA is an equation that is determined by the state. In Cranbury, this required minimum funding for the library is between 1-2% of your tax bill. The appropriation runs the library: rent to the school, staff, books, dvds, e-books, programs, and more. The Cranbury Public Library Foundation is raising money for the new building so taxes will not be increased.

Usage:
The Cranbury Public Library is very important to the community (Zogby survey). Last year, we had 53,699 visitors, held 265 programs with 4,353 attendees, and had 45,064 books, videos, cds audios, magazines, museums passes and games checked out.

Questions, concerns, comments:
Cranbury Public library Board of Trustees will next meet on Thursday, March 12 7:30.

[anon-0qqn]

The number of library visitors seems to be misrepresented. It works out to 179 visitors per day (average) since the library is open for less than 300 days per year.

The library is an important part of the community, but it would be nice to know how many non-school members of the community use the facility on a daily basis. It really is hard to make a case for the expense of a new building if less than 10% of the adults in the community actually would use the place.

[anon-052s]

[cm-0292]

The only risk to school safety was the recent incident of a student bringing a knife to school! The public library in the school building does not make the school vulnerable.