Monday, March 25, 2013

Saving the SE-L Library


 I am so aggravated with how the library board is handling its library situation. The SE-L library is beautiful as is, and inspires many to read simply because of their fascination with the building itself. The fact that nothing seems to be making a difference is beyond frustrating to me, especially when I worked so successfully for continued change with the election this past fall. I've decided to write a letter to the editor in a last attempt to save this beautiful landmark, and I do not know what good it will do if any. So below is a longer version of a letter to the editor I sent to the Plain Dealer regarding the SEL Library. It may not end up in the paper, but at least I can make sure it is seen here!

Library Board Childish in Refusal to Reconsider Options
            I have been a South Euclid resident for practically my entire life. In my childhood the library was a place to go for great adventure and excitement. I went to haunted houses and renaissance fairs that all took place in a magical castle.  Today it is a place I go to relax and contemplate and have a me moment; a rare space of beauty and history and peace in South Euclid. None of that would be possible if the library is moved from its current location in Telling Mansion.
            I have been adamantly against the moving of the library since I found out about it. I signed petitions, I made phone calls, I even stopped going to book sales in an attempt to boycott raising funds for a new library which I refuse to attend or support in any way, shape, or form. While I did have a weak moment and attend one book sale, I cannot stand behind a new library. The Telling Mansion has so much history and so much personality that it would be such a shame to move it. The Mansion is the one beautiful thing we have in our city. I do not think you could find a single resident that would be against keeping the library in its current location, and if you do it would be few.
            This leads me to my main point, which is that the Cuyahoga County Library Board is simply being childish. Residents are fighting tooth and nail to save the library, Lyndhurst wants nothing to do with it if it is moved, and yet the library board adamantly refuses to even reconsider their decision or admit they were wrong. This seems quite childish to me. Only a child would sit there and say this is what I want and I am going to do it no matter what anyone says or thinks, or no matter who I hurt in the process. And while this may not be the most articulate way to point this out, I hope someone on the library board sees this and is ashamed of their actions, ashamed of the fact that a twenty-something can rightfully call them a child when they are grown because they refuse to even consider a solution other than their own.