Author	Message
anon-534r	Posted: Thu, Oct 9 2014, 9:23 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? Sounds pretty selfish if not stupid to knowingly build something that is cutting hours due to lower demand. Sunday should be the busiest day (just go to Plainsboro) and Cranbury library is not even open. What does that tell you? If this was a private business that had to survive on its own, it would have to make some tough decisions. Its so clear that this is both unnecessary and irresponsible.
Reason #70-052s	Posted: Wed, Oct 8 2014, 10:22 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? Quote: Cranbury Public Library will be open fewer hours per week starting on Feb. 1. The Library Board of Trustees voted to save costs by closing the library on Sundays and one hour earlier on Monday through Thursday. These changes were prompted by a decrease in library funding. “These times have the least use, so we hope to minimize the impact to our library patrons,” Library Board President Kirstie Venanzi said. Reason #70: Nothing is going to stand in the way of building a new stand alone library, not even the current library! We won't stop, even if we have to cut every hour that the school isn't open. All in favor... Write a check!
anon-97on	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 8:27 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? anon-0o99 wrote: Quote: It's also empty more often then not. I am sitting in the public library right now and it is buzzing with activity. All the computers are in use. A man is reading the newspaper. There are students in the back studying. People come in and out, getting books and movies. It is always amazing to me that people do not see how important this place is to our town. Not agreeing with building a new library is different than not appreciating the existing one.
anon-0o99	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 6:08 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? Quote: It's also empty more often then not. I am sitting in the public library right now and it is buzzing with activity. All the computers are in use. A man is reading the newspaper. There are students in the back studying. People come in and out, getting books and movies. It is always amazing to me that people do not see how important this place is to our town.
anon-0n08	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 5:51 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? anon-37p2 wrote: Who cares what the master plan says it's a waste of money! The library we have now is more than sufficient for the town's needs. It's also empty more often then not. Don't confuse with Master Plan with an intent to build. The Master Plan sets out all kinds of like-to-haves and it's understood from the beginning that many may never get done or even be feasible. More than anything it is designed to set a roadmap for how it could be done if it was done. So IF a stand-alone library was ever built rather than acquired, it should go HERE. Not when, but if. The plan includes new roads, new parking lots, new bridges, all kinds of things that may never happen.
anon-0n08	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 5:44 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? anon-ppq3 wrote: If you remember correctly, the Township Committee decided not to look into the PNC, so it was not even properly investigated. The Bookworm is definitely less square footage and on two floors. The basement is unusable. There is also the floor loading issue, as well as handicap accessibility. However, you should talk to the Township Committee if you feel strongly about this. The TC did look into PNC fairly extensively. They did numerous walk-throughs on their own and with contractors. They never did the formal feasibility study, but that's because they mishandled it by playing political games. The Mayor at the time wasn't a big fan of democracy and wanted to be able to act unilaterally with his majority rather than involve public discussion or the full support of the TC. He kept the TC tours just to his 3-person group and excluded the two other TC members. But he needed 4 votes for bond action to fund it. They held a public hearing where the public opinion was split and claimed all they were voting on was the do the further study. But he was repeatedly asked to commit that approval of the study would not lead to them voting or acting on formal purchase of the site without allowing further public review of the study and comment and he steadfastly refused to do so. It was clear he wanted to ability to acquire the site without further public input. So he couldn't get the 4th vote he needed to advance. It was also suggested they put the matter to a public vote on upcoming ballots. They said there wouldn’t be time. Yet they ironically resurrected the issue yet again months later, and far after the time frame it would have taken to get the issue on the ballot and after two subsequent voting opportunities. Yet again they were asked to put it to a ballot and they demurred. It seemed clear they didn’t want to see a public vote. In any event, at the time it was about public money. This is now about private money. If this group doesn’t want to settle for anything less than a shiny new building, fine. As long as in a couple years they don’t make the case that more public money should supplement the cost. In which case it would have been irresponsible not to consider existing buildings. They shouldn’t consider their requirements for the library fixed in stone either. If an existing building can be had for less and meets 60% of their requirements, that’s 60% more than they have now.
anon-37p2	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 5:42 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? Who cares what the master plan says it's a waste of money! The library we have now is more than sufficient for the town's needs. It's also empty more often then not.
anon-ppq3	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 2:43 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? If you remember correctly, the Township Committee decided not to look into the PNC, so it was not even properly investigated. The Bookworm is definitely less square footage and on two floors. The basement is unusable. There is also the floor loading issue, as well as handicap accessibility. However, you should talk to the Township Committee if you feel strongly about this.
anon-7528	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 1:01 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? But, the library wanted the PNC bank. The bookworm I believe has more floor space and basement storage. At the asking price one could make a substantial investment with the current funds available. I actually think it would tie in nicely. However, I think the library and some donors now have a grand vision. Where as with the PNC site they just wanted their own building.
anon-ppq3	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 12:51 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? Truth is the Bookworm space is too small, and divided up into small rooms. It would cost more to restore this building, bring it up to code, and make the flexible space that is needed for a modern library than it would be to build a new building. The PNC was viewed as a money pit, and though a charming building, the Bookworm would require a lot of money to make it work as a library.
anon-0n08	Posted: Tue, Feb 5 2013, 10:31 am EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? anon-100s wrote: why not put the public library in the old bookworm building... they are moving out and it is a great location. even better than the pnc bank building. it's an historic building, centrally located, and already has a parking lot. alot of towns like ours have their libraries in buildings like that. the library funds could buy it right now and refurbish it, and put a nice addition on it if needed. use our/your money wisely... don't build some new exorbitantly expensive awful modern thing that will have it's windows shattered by baseballs and cause more traffic problems in the school parking lot. this old building would certainly be a more charming place to hang out. If the library isn't at least seriously looking at this as an option there's something wrong with the process.
anon-100s	Posted: Mon, Feb 4 2013, 11:10 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? why not put the public library in the old bookworm building... they are moving out and it is a great location. even better than the pnc bank building. it's an historic building, centrally located, and already has a parking lot. alot of towns like ours have their libraries in buildings like that. the library funds could buy it right now and refurbish it, and put a nice addition on it if needed. use our/your money wisely... don't build some new exorbitantly expensive awful modern thing that will have it's windows shattered by baseballs and cause more traffic problems in the school parking lot. this old building would certainly be a more charming place to hang out.
anon-97on	Posted: Sun, Feb 3 2013, 8:18 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Public Linear Kirstie Venanzi-1254 wrote: The Master Plan allocates space across the school parking lot from the present library. Right, but like the stand-alone library it has been there for a long time and has no budget or concrete plan to be executed. If the new library generates incremental traffic as is contemplated in its plan, they will need additional parking at peak times. I think it would be irresponsible to build the library without having the funds secured to do the additional parking on the rear side of the new building. Ideally the Township will eventually find the funds to extend the road to Park Place as well but whether they do or don't, we would need the parking.
anon-1254	Posted: Sun, Feb 3 2013, 2:35 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Public Library Public libraries now function as community living rooms so we will still need space to gather.
Kirstie Venanzi-1254	Posted: Sun, Feb 3 2013, 2:16 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Public Linear The Master Plan allocates space across the school parking lot from the present library.
anon-109q	Posted: Sun, Feb 3 2013, 2:15 pm EST    Post subject: Re: Cranbury Library Short on Money: Cutting Hours-really!!?? Kirstie Venanzi-1254 wrote: Libraries are not just about not just about books. They have always been learning centers..and now community centers, where you can learn about or even borrow the latest technology, attend a program on Cranbury history, a book discussion, become a Granpal, see preschoolers get excited about reading, or sit quietly reading a magazine. Books are still there as well as DVD s, music, databases, video games, books on CD, and expert advice. Books will still have a place. Just like vinyl records and camera film have a place. It just won't be as big as it is now, and will become more antiquated as time goes by. You'll soon be able to fit the Library of Congress on a chip the size of a penny!