Library limbo
Opinion: Editorials
By Editorial
Back in the mid-1980s, the Brookfield Library Board decided to build a less-than-adequate building to replace the original structure, built in the 1914.
Library officials have regretted that decision almost from the get-go. And 30-plus years after the fact, the village is left with a building that can't accommodate the kind of programming contemporary libraries offer.
With the ghost of the 1980s lurking, officials are skittish about making the same mistake again.
Rebuffed by voters in their bid to issue bonds to build a new library campus, officials also have failed to convince the village to vacate a portion of Lincoln Avenue to build an addition across the street.
The library board is left with a plan they really don't want, and they really can't afford to finance that plan right now. In the meantime, they've saved $5.2 million over a period of years, and continuing to sit on millions in taxpayer funds indefinitely isn't an attractive option, either.
Most of the library trustees appear ready to press the pause button, for now. Given the unsettled staffing situation at village hall, that's probably wise.
More than ever, the library board and village board and staff need to work collaboratively on a solution.
Reader Comments
No Comments - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Riverside and Brookfield. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Subscribe | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
My mother-in-law resides at The Woodlands. I can...
By Kathy Keidel
Posted: February 14th, 2019 6:31 PM
I grew up in Riverside and our family referred to it...
By David Wilson
Posted: February 14th, 2019 3:28 PM
Mari, The major problem with any kind of a recreation...
By Jim Mann
Posted: February 14th, 2019 7:12 AM
Brookfield needs a new and larger recreational...
By Mari Materazzo Gibson
Posted: February 13th, 2019 9:47 PM
I wish to clarify and amplify a few items related to...
By Mike Sedivy
Posted: February 13th, 2019 11:38 AM
Oscar was an amazing human being. He was a person that...
By Ariel Moon
Posted: February 13th, 2019 11:12 AM
Looks like Hermanek is treating his own North...
By Kathryn Dennis
Posted: February 13th, 2019 10:08 AM
Hi I am a resident of La Grange Park and am running...
By Kathy Johnson
Posted: February 12th, 2019 9:14 PM
I grew up in the Coonley House. 281 Bloomingbank. The...
By James Shepro
Posted: February 11th, 2019 11:44 AM