** 6/18/10: The proposal regarding Columbia Pike Branch Library was withdrawn Friday, June 18, in a press release from the County Manager’s office.**
** 6/13 Update: Town Hall Meeting Venue Changed:
To accommodate as many people as possible, the June 16, 7:00 p.m. meeting on Columbia Pike’s Branch Library has been moved to the atrium of the Career Center, which is adjacent to the Library at 816 S. Walter Reed Dr.**
** 6/10 Update: We’ve added a post with answers to frequently asked questions **
Hello Neighbors,
The Arlington Public Library serves a broad, engaged and growing number of patrons. For many years, we have enjoyed a partnership with Arlington Public Schools (APS) in a joint use of the Career Center/Columbia Pike Branch Library. For several years, however, the County and APS have been considering a redevelopment of the Career Center that may, or may not, include a branch library.
Knowing that the Career Center will eventually be redeveloped, and may or may not include space for the branch library, County staff have sought to identify and evaluate potential new homes for a branch along Columbia Pike. Recently, a potential new site has emerged. We are asking for your help in evaluating this option.
The County’s long-planned redevelopment of the Arlington Mill Community Center always considered including a small library presence. Now, the County may add one or two additional floors to the community center, space that could be used for a new Columbia Pike library branch. Such an opportunity could have many benefits for current users. However, we recognize that any move presents challenges for the community.
We are seeking your help in guiding the County in making this an important decision. We want to hear from you about how such a move would affect your use of the Columbia Pike branch. You will have several opportunities to both learn more about this potential change and provide your input.
Your first option will be a town meeting on this issue with me and other members of the Arlington County Staff. Please join us at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16 at Columbia Pike Branch Library for a full discussion of this proposal. We encourage you to bring friends.
If you cannot make the meeting, we hope that you will provide feedback through your Civic Association, this Director’s blog or by submitting suggestions to the suggestion boxes located at Central Library and all Arlington Public Library branches.
As this community process continues, the Library will provide more information through a variety of media outlets, websites and public meetings. Your opinions matter and we welcome them.
We look forward to working with you on this important community effort and sincerely appreciate the generous support you have shown Arlington Public Library through the years.
With all good wishes,
Diane
Can't you maintain library hours at the current branches first?Where are the priorities????
I am a student at Thomas Jefferson Middle School Recently I heard about this plan for the Columbia pike library. I live very close to the library and regularly visit the library. I would hate to see the library move, and it would surely reduce my attendance. The location is in a public and convenient place. Additionally, it is right next to Patrick Henry Elementary school, the school I went to for Kindergarten through Fifth grade. I loved having the library available to go to after school. My little sister now does the same thing, and is happy for it, as I am sure many other students are. As for the career center expanding, it may, in many years to come. Even if it does, it likely would include the library, for many reasons. Why would APS decide to try to get the library to move when they would have to go through the work of putting it through the county, unless of course, it is only expanding because the county wants to move the library. Anyway, why would APS want to move away a learning experience from one of its schools? Plus neither the career center or the library need renovation in the near future, so why move? It makes no sense. I really hope that this plan does not go through.David Lanman,7th grade
Do Not Move Columbia Pike Library! The Columbia Pike Library is an integral part of the Penrose community. It is a well used resource by our many residents. When the library is open it is teeming with patrons, from toddlers to seniors. The current location works exceedingly well as circulation numbers demonstrate. Arlington is a small community and partnerships between the schools and county should be the norm. I see no reason for the school/county partnership to change in any way. Schools and libraries go together hand in glove.
I'm very much in favor of the move. I think it will be a perfect fit for the new Arlington Mill Community Center. A center which has multiple purposes and which serves the greater needs and good of the community would be ideal. Additionally, I believe the current Columbia Pike Branch is owned by APS and it's future needs are unknown. Where would the library go if APS decides say five years down the road it needs the space? By that time, all the space in the Community Center would be occupied. The Community Center would give a permanent place to keep the library. Anyone who lives by the library now obviously would not support moving it for obvious reasons. However, living close to a library (while nice) is not a guarantee or a right. Also, if the library is moved to the Community Center, it would be in close proximity to Barcroft and Campbell Elementaries, as well as Kenmore Middle School.
There is no "plan" to eliminate the library at the Career Center. That is a red herring that is given as an excuse to move the library to a fancy new space. Giving up any space in a public building is a really poor decision on the part of the county. This area of the county is growing in population, so no one should be eliminating library services. If the county abandons a library at this space, it will regret it down the road.
Gee, I guess I am wondering what the priorities and values really are in Arlington. We are going to close a heavily used library but still spend gobs of money on the fair each year? Why?
What about walkability? The current location is in easy to get to and in a flat area. I also noticed the posting by another person about schools nearby Arlington Mill. That got me wondering how the distances compare:Distances of schools near current location:Patrick Henry Elem.(neighborhood) is .1 milesCareer Center (countywide) – same bldg.Jefferson Middle School is .4 milesDistances of schools near Arlington Mill:Barcroft Elem. (neighborhood) is .3 milesCampbell Elem. (team) is .4 milesKenmore Middle School is .6 miles
Penrose is a community that supports the community library. The usage of the library is high because of the neighborhood in which it sits. There is a wide range of people using the materials, preschool through seniors. Middle and high schoolers use it because it is within WALKING distance. Just like the Reed site, County officials have the ability to make the Career Center a joint usage site if a redevelopment occurs. Everyone benefits from such a proposal as students from the Career Center, who come from all over the county, can use the library facility. They can not do that if it is relocated to Arlington Mill.Horrible idea.
The Career Center has multiple uses.Arlington Mill is NOT close to Kenmore Middle School.
I hear that some people kicked and screamed about the move of the Westover branch — even though it was only a couple of blocks. I think I've driven past the old, dumpy branch once… Never would have thought to enter it. When I go by the beautiful new branch, I'm tempted to stop in every time. (My branch is Central, and I'm always on an errand when I pass rough Westover, so I haven't stopped in yet…)The current Columbia Pike library is rundown, drab, and industrial: not really a place to instill creativity and imagination, storytelling, or even reading. (The staff works very hard to do so, not talking about them, but rather the facility itself.) Why not move the library to a well-designed and NEW facility with an assured future, rather than leaving it in a facility that will need to be closed for major renovations sometime anyhow? Let the APS renovate the vacated space and use it for career training, which is also something that's definitely needed.It'd be interesting to know the financial costs both ways. As I said, I can't believe that the current Columbia Pike facility won't need to be closed and totally renovated sometime in the next few years anyhow, so it seems that financially, it might be a wash, and getting the library out of the Soviet-style building it's in now would be a big win.
Not a good idea. This area of the Pike is anticipated for expansion and redevelopment and a library here will be needed now and in the future. A small branch at Arlington Mill along with the branches at Shirlington, and at Carlyn Springs seems adequate to serve this part of the County.
VERY POOOR idea!! Especially since THREE high rises have been built within 3 blocks of the library — MORE usage of this library in its PRESENT location is to be expected!!!Arlington Mill is NOT easy to get to — is in a heavily trafficked area, and is not convenient.Let us KEEP this library in its present, pleasant, easy to go to location!!!!!
Don't let them take our library away. This isn't a relocation it is a removal. Moving the branch to the other end of Columbia Pike will remove the library from our walkable zone. I have no doubt that the other end of the pike would be well served by a library, but I see no reason for it to be done by taking a library away from our community. The Columbia Pike Library has been a key foundation of this community for almost 40 years. It replaced a library that was built by members of the surrounding neighborhoods. The county is making a callous decision that is an afferent to the long history of a library supported by this local community. There a many senior citizens who live nearby and don't have transportation that use this library.
I oppose this idea. It would leave this growing area of the community with no convenient access to a library, while other areas have multiple options (such as Cherrydale so close to the Central library). This is unfair treatment to a redeveloping area of South Arlington, that would not happen in North Arlington.
Why would you move the library less than a mile away from another library (Glencarlyn – according to Google Maps) and 1.6 miles from the Shirlington library, and leave a giant gap in the heart of the county? Just look at the map of where the libraries are today. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source;=s_q&hl;=en&geocode;=&q;=library,+arlington,+va&sll;=39.087436,-77.00592&sspn;=1.257786,2.90863&ie;=UTF8&hq;=library,&hnear;=Arlington,+VA&t;=h&z;=13They are almost perfectly distributed across the county. Moving the library to Arlington Mill, likely to create a reason for proceeding with a project that failed as the mixed-use project the county envisioned, makes no sense for county residents. Especially in light of the fact that the new "town center" area of the Pike is supposed to be right next to the current library location. I also find it highly questionable that we can simply "add one or two additional floors to the community center" to support a library, but wouldn't be able to plan any pending Career Center redevelopment to include enhanced library space in a much more useful location. Please do not move the library.
If you move the Arlington Public Library, where do the families with children and without automobiles go to the library? Washington, D.C.? Because that just may be physically closer than traveling up the Pike. Imagine spending $1.45 (bus transportation) * 3 or 4 family members which equals $5.80 one way. So, families, without cars, should spend about $11.60 for one visit to a library up the Pike. How many times do you think that they would visit?
If you are going to remove (not relocate) the Columbia Pike Library, are you going to remove (relocate) the Penrose Community with it too?
It is my understanding that the Columbia Pike Library has always been part of the Career Center redevelopment plan. I'm very disappointed to learn that now the plan "may or may not" include the library.A major reason that we moved to the Arlington Heights neighborhood is the walkability to county facilities, such as the TJ Rec Center, Patrick Henry Elementary and the Columbia Pike Library. My four small children and I walk down to the library at least once a week. I'm very concerned that this valuable resource is now in jeopardy.I don't know the usage statistics, but the library seems to be heavily used. It is also located in a densely populated area.
I am NOT in favor of the move. Why not open a branch at the Arlington Mill site? That would be a win win situation.
To answer Mr. Eichers — don't believe what you hear. The redevelopment plan for the Career Center, which is on hold, has always referenced keeping the library at this location.
If the library is moved to Arlington Mill, you effectively leave the east end of Columbia Pike without a library even as density increases with the opening of Siena Park and Halstead. Bad idea.
I was incredibly upset to hear about Arlington County plans to close the Walter Reed Branch library. I use the library quite often and always find it bustling with all sorts of activities. This would be a shameful and needless loss for the community. The local government is investing so much in Columbia Pike, only 2 blocks away and would consider doing away with this neighborhood treasure.
I also oppose this idea. The current location is very convenient to the densely populated area it currently serves. Hundreds of us can and do walk and bike to the library on a regular basis. As others have pointed out, the proposed location would be considerably less accessible, by either foot or car. I believe the Columbia Pike library is currently an anchor of the immediate community it serves and it would be sorely missed if moved.
When I heard that the Columbia Pike library might be moved, I was definitely shocked. This has been our neighborhood library for three generations. One wonderful aspect of the library is its close proximity and walkability. Many many times, we have participated in events and activities in the library, and it is always a bustling place. With only one car in our family, and my husband frequently working evenings, the car is not always available to us, and being able to walk to the library with my children for that particular special event, activity, or just to browse for a book has been wonderful experience. It is a focal point for our community and has contributed to the connetivity of people who live in the area. Additionally, it has been a place for my high school student to study when she takes the late bus from school, which drops her at the career center/library, before walking home. I think it would be a HUGE mistake to relocate the Columbia Pike library. In this ever-increasing era of promoting urban villages and walkability, the thought of relocating this library outside of the neighborhood seems like a step backward.
This proposal makes me question the County's support of the whole Pike revitalization. Given the two new buildings just open and soon opening and the idea of this pocket as "town-center" how can the County say that it is supportive and not see that a library location at it's current spot is essential. This move does not make sense if the County is supportive of a revitalized Pike. Opening another library at the West end and leaving the existing one alone is supportive.
I think that from an accessibility perspective relocating Columbia Pike Branch Library to the new Arlington Mill developement would be a good idea, provided that it is a full-size, full-service branch close to what is provided at Central.Arlington Mill is located on FOUR bus lines, 2 Metrobus and 2 ART lines, with "at the door" service. The current Columbia Pike Branch lies directy on only 1 ART and 1 Metrobus line with "at the door" service.Combined bus service to Arlington Mill means there is a bus every 5-10 minutes Monday thru Saturday.
I bought my house because it is close to the library. It would be a disaster for me if it moved. I visit weekly for DVDs and books.I am very distressed at the crass way the library system has been handled lately. From changes in hours to threatened closings and now this "relocation". I bet most people won't know about it until the library disappears.
Diane,I support keeping the Columbia Pike Library in its current kid-friendly location right next to an elementary school and neighborhoods that patronize it heavily. I think the surrounding community will lobby heavily to keep the library as part of the redevelopment of Career Center. If the county is wondering what to do with additional space in Arlington Mill, perhaps that center could host some Career Center or Parks & Rec classes?
I agree with the very wise student at the beginng of theis comment section. I would also like to add – why does south Arlington always seem to get screwed? When Westover was redone it only moved a short ways away. This will be a hardship for many, especially those who rely on public transportation.
I will be sad if the library moves. I love having a library within walking distance. I also think that the recent housing boom in the area and the redevelopment of that stretch of Columbia Pike will serve the branch well.However, if if does have to move, I will start using the Central Branch, as it's more local to my errands. The new location is near nothing I use or visit and I would not be using it.
If the library goes to Arlington Mill, make the County Fair part of the package.
Arlington Mill is still South Arlington. It would be nice to see some of the Pike redevelopment focused on this area as well. There are single family homes and several apartment buildings around Arlington Mill that would patronize a library within walking distance. I, for one, would be ecstatic if they moved in right next door.
The country appears to be producing make work here and having the resident tazpayers pick up the tab. Why not heed the advice of the current patrons of the library (i.e., to keep it open where it currently operates), drop whatever "plans" the County has that would push the library out of its current location, and build a small branch at the Mill center when and if the County ever gets around to completing that project. The County is in a financial hole. It should stop digging and upsetting those that use what libary services it currently affords.
Interesting that this meeting is popping up with just a week's notice. It would be helpful to post a link to the library's long-range strategic plan so we can see what the plan is for the new facility.Thanks!
Please check back for updated information. Materials presented at the June 16 meeting will be posted online.
Why can't we keep Columbia Pike library in its current location and add a branch at Arlington Mill?
I oppose this move as well! While the current Columbia Pike branch is in a bit of disrepair, its location has become increasingly important due to the influx of new apartment buildings in the Penrose neighborhood. I, for one, love being able to walk to the library — does this mean I will have to increase my carbon footprint by driving to Central? The CP library had convenience going for it, but I have a feeling the proposed move will send many people elsewhere.
What is in the LIBRARY is so much more important than what it looks like. I would like to see HOURS RESTORED to all brsanched before new buildings and projects without a $ figure atached to them are promoted. Where is the press release on this? Where is the detailed plan. Where is the notice to all arlington county civic assocaitions? Things attempted in the dark are done for a reason. That reason is usually not good. I was under the impression that the expensive Arlington Mill project was on hold due to financial considerations. We need a lot more light placed on these ideas that effect us–the tax paying residents of Arlington County. Why have a public meeting, when there is no plan. Issue the plan, in detail, then ask for a community response.
I would like to know why the library director states, not once, but twice, "…a redevelopment of the Career Center that may, or may not, include a branch library…" when she must be fully aware that the 2008 Building Level Planning design of the Career Center included the public library. Misleading and disingenuous statements lead to mistrust.
I am so disappointed to hear that the Columbia Pike Library may be moving. Just because something is shiny and new doesn’t mean it’s better! The library is one of the reasons I decided to move to Penrose and why I have stayed here. A few times a week I walk to the library after work to pick up books, DVDs and even purchase books. I probably buy a dozen or more books a week from the library, do I need to purchase more so that it will stay put? I don’t always have a car at hand and I guarantee that I would not take the bus down to Arlington Mills after work any day of the week. I will not visit a library there and I’m sure many more patrons will be lost than gained. I agree with the other comments, keep Columbia Pike library in its current location and add a smaller branch at Arlington Mill (since there doesn’t seem to be much room available to begin with). With the influx of new people in the area and the construction of several new apartment buildings, it seems silly to relocate one of the primary assets that probably drew all of those new residents to the area to begin with! Please don’t move the library; it’s too valuable where it is at. What will the community’s students do after school? Is this cost really worth it (to the taxpayers that is, not the people whose pockets may be lined)? To anyone starting a petition, I will gladly sign!
The Columbia Pike branch looks like a detention center (along with the Career Center) and I no longer go into it, although I did when it was new. I loved it when it was a storefront at the intersection of Glebe and Columbia Pike (30+ years ago). Now I use Glencarlyn or Shirlington.I am appalled at how the library keeps reducing the size of its book collections. Fewer copies of books are obtained — and beginning in July there will be no new paperbacks or CDs. Just look at the linear feet of stack space for adult books.I go to the library to READ! How about getting back to basics — wherever it is located.I could easily walk to Arlington Mill but if whatever they build there is as sterile as what the County is building elsewhere, forget it!!
I'd really really like to keep the Columbia Pike Branch library where it is. Many of us in the area use it on a regular basis and it enhances our lives a great deal. If it is moved to the new location it will be much too close to the Glencarlyn branch and would therefore be redundant. Please please keep it where it is.
Folks, in spite of the Career Center building looking, as one person stated it, "like a detention center," this location STILL is third in use and circulation of all the libraries only after Central and the beautiful new Shirlington Library. At some point it will be rebuilt into a modern space. In the meantime, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
There is denser housing around Arlington Mill and the library would be used more there… I am guessing. A new facility would be nice!
Please do not move the Columbia Pike Branch Library. As it is, many of us can walk to the library's present location, as I have done for the past 19 years. Folks at the east end of Columbia Pike will simply not go to it if it is relocated to Arlington Mill Community Center. If I have to drive my car to get to a library, I mind as well go to the Central Library instead.
The library is a core component of the Penrose neighborhood. I've lived in Penrose for years and would hate to see the library go. The accessibility to the Patrick Henry is a great benefit.Please keep the library on Walter Reed drive.
A year ago I purchased a home in Arlington Village within walking distance from the Columbia Pike Library. While I could have purchased property in a more convenient area along metro's orange line in Arlington (as I have no car), I liked that there was a library and other county resources in within walking distance. I already have to go out of my way to purchase groceries due to the closing of the Giant in Adams Square, now the library will close? I am opposed to this closing. And please do not try to fool area residents by calling this a relocation. Arlington Mill is too far, especially for those of us who chose to make our communities cleaner by not having cars. Unless the county wants to add to the negative environmental impact of more cars on our already clogged roads.
I live at the Carlton Condominium on S Four Mile Run, and I dont drive. It is inconvenient for me to travel to the current Columbia Pike Library. Also, the facility the library currently houses is smaller than it should be. Also it would be a good addition to the new Arlington Mill Community Center when it is finished.
For over the past 30 years I've been able to walk to the Columbia Pike Library, and have been a frequent visitor to and user of the Library. I depend on walking or public transportation to get around. Relocation of the library to Arlington Mills would be a great inconvenience, effectively making that branch unavailable to me.I cannot understand why "there might be no room" for the Columbia Pike Library in the redeveloped Career Center — that all depends on the architectual plans, which should be developed to provide for a modern spacious library that provides better facilities than the current one for the diverse community that uses it.Furthermore, a modernized enlarged Columbia Pike Library, at its current site, would be a plus for people moving to the major new apartment buildiongs under development nearby.
I think that it is a wonderful idea and will be a definate enhancement to this area. I live at the Carlton Condominium on S Four Mile Run.
If you look at a map of Arlington, you will see that the proposed relocation would put the Columbia Pike, Glencarlyn, and Shirlington branches in a relatively straight line not far from the border of the county and would leave a vast area to the east not served by any branch. Considering the number of people who live in that area, this geographic imbalance is unacceptable. The Columbia Pike branch may need a new building, but not in a significantly different location.
The first post by 7th grader David was excellent, cogent, and well written. I agree with him and the majority of people who are more interested in content of a library than appearance, with walking distance crucial to so many being vital. I like the idea of another small branch at Arlington Mill.
It seems as if it would make more sense to move the Glen Carlyn library to the new location if anything. It is very close to the suggested location. I agree that the Eastern edge of the Columbia Pike corridor really needs a library. I live about halfway between the current location and Arlington Mill and I think that the current Penrose location is preferable.
It would seem totally contrary to Arlington's planning concept of village hubs to remove Columbia Pike's Library. There is increasing higher density of residences around the Walter Reed-Columbia Pike crossroads, and by removing the local library patrons will be deprived of a walk in library. There is simply no common sense to relocating Columbia Pike's Library. In fact, the County Board should look into ways to enhance the library's space and facilities.
Relocation to Arlington Mill seems like a good compromise to me. The Career Center has to be rebuilt-just check the projected high school population figures. It's a great program in need of a new facility & the room to expand. How many folks will actually use the library in its current location while the Career Center construction is going on? Relocate the library now while the Arl Mill location is available and plan for library space located at the new Career Center – Relocation seems like a good interim solution for both the County & the School system. Space is needed at the Career Center site & space is available at Arl. Mill site.
If Arlington cannot afford to expand hours and buy more books we should not consider new buildings.
I don't believe relocating to Arlington Mill now is an option. The proposal is to move into a new building at the site.
It wold be great if the current branch could be renovated, and perhaps given more space. However, my guess is that the prospect of this is years away, given the budget situation. My feeling is that the move to a better location (where there is parking and better access–like one floor) is long overdue. If you actually visit the library every week, as some mentioned, you would know this already.A move to a different space may seem like a "loss" to the library visitors, but it would actually be a "win" to get a new space, and up to date building.
From the library distribution and location across the county, it doesn't make sense to move it (with the move East Colombia pike will continue to be an underserved area in the county). On the other hand, if you are looking for space while rebuilding the Career Center, ask the Walter Reed Community Center to host the library during construction. Penrose residents may put up with that temporally since the library will be within walking distance.
Out with the old and in with the new! Private businesses are not the only entities that should be included in the revitalization of Columbia Pike.
My guess is that the library ought to move to a good place soon, while the money from the county is there. Why wait for the school to be renovated and get less space?
The first post by David was excellent and well written. I agree with him and the majority of people who are more interested in content of a library than appearance, with walking distance crucial to so many being vital. I oppose this idea.
This idea of moving the very heavily used, and conveniently located, Columbia Pike library seems to be the perfect "project" for a rather new Director of the Arlington Public Library system to make their mark on the community — whether it benefits the community or not. If the need for library services exists in Arlington Mill, Arlington should be expanding its library resources not contracting them.The Penrose area is supposedly the "heart" of the Columbia Pike Development. Removing our library is taking away a very special part of our community
I live in Alcova Heights and I love having the Columbia Pike branch where it is. In addition to being adjacent to my neighborhood, it is also close to nearby businesses at Walter Reed & Columbia Pike such as the drugstore, a few takeouts, and (will be) also near a grocery store. This generally improves visibility of the library for both drivers and pedestrians, and personally it lets me conveniently visit the library while I am out on other errands.I believe the area around the Arlington Mill rec center is already served by the Shirlington branch, which is walkable from that intersection. There is no other library nearby the current Columbia Pike branch location that is close enough to be convenient. I imagine everyone that lives east of the library feels even more strongly about the convenience of this location than I do, as it would effectively eliminate having a neighborhood library from anyone who lives east of Glebe Road and south of Rt. 50.The County should do its best to keep the location of libraries evenly distributed across the map, and not forget that it's the accessibility of libraries to all residents – young and old, walking, biking or driving – that keep the libraries and library membership vibrant and active.
Please do NOT close the Pike library. It has been a very valuable asset to this community since I have been here-40 years now. I hope and pray I can continue to enjoy all the many opportunities it affords me and my neighbors.
Reality-check here: "Energized modern library at current site" will not happen. The "Modern Library" is where you can get it–at the Arlington Mill Site. Grow up, folks! Get with the program! The new site is where the county wants to put it's money. If you linger, you lose.
I am NOT in favor of a move to Arlington Mills. What I'd like to see is an improved Columbia Pike Branch before anything…..
Did anyone remember that it took YEARS for the Shirlington Library to happen? Or the Westover branch library? Did anyone remember when the bond was–and when the buildings got built? Money came in the late '80's–discussions with the community started in the 1990's—New library at Shirlington 2005? New library at Westover in 2009? Do we want to quibble and get a new library sooner or 10 to 15 years from now? For me, it would be sad to have it move, but I want a new library, like the other part of the county!
Did anyone look into the idea of buying a piece of land near the current library, like where the Gaint was? Or the Rite-Aid/Bob's Big Boy site is? See if they want to sell that property for a new library there!
Is it true that the school system is holding back on building there? Are they the real owners of the library building, or is it the library?
A library user said "they are closing the library." Is it "closing" or "moving"? Why can't the Career Center move instead?
For the answers to many of these questions, please read the Library Director's Columbia Pike FAQ, posted yesterday:http://arlingtonvalib.blogspot.com/2010/06/frequently-asked-questions-columbia.html
Keep the library where it is! Build another one within the Arlington Mill location if you want, but not at the expense of Arlington Heights homeowners, taxpayers and our children! Do not close the Columbia Pike branch! A "move" is tantamount to a closing!
We moved to this neighborhood 23 years ago because it was within walking distance to school, shopping, library and public transportation. It was a huge sacrifice because we could barely afford it back then, but having those amenities within walking distance was extremely important to us because we believed in living as carbon-free as possible (even way back then!). Don't punish those of us who have been living the Arlington Way for decades by taking away our reasons for being where we are. Instead of closing and/or moving neighborhood library branches, why not spend our scarce collective resources by giving the taxpayers what they want: more small and efficient branches? Please keep and maintain our and all Arlington library branches. Thanks!!
This is already posted in the FAQ discussion, but for more exposure, it is re-posted here.Firstly, in the interest of full disclosure, I live directly across the street from the Columbia Pike Library, and thus, have it in my best interests to maintain the library in its current location. It is in the best interests of the County, however, to leave the library in its current location, as well. The Columbia Pike library currently serves an elementary school (Patrick Henry), a middle school (Jefferson), and all the high schools (Career Center). If the library moves, yes, it will be accessible via bus or car to these students, but why do these students need to be deprived of a walkable library branch and their families forced to pay to get them to a library? If the library is moved, the schools near the proposed Arlington Mill site will then have two (2) or three (3) (Glen Carlyn, Shirlington) libraries within walking distance. The same holds true for the general population in these respective areas.One cannot deny the benefits of having a library location at the new Arlington Mill Community Center. It is necessary to ask, however, whether one must deprive a significant number of Arlington County students and residents of their only truly accessible library (that is, one not requiring them to pay for a bus or for gas to reach) in order to provide visitors of the Arlington Mill Community Center with yet another library location convenient to them. The coup of having filled a now-embarrassingly empty space and presenting a new library in the much-hyped Arlington Mill Community Center should not come before the needs of Arlington students and residents, and frankly, stinks of a political, rather than practical, decision.For those who are concerned with the age of the current Columbia Pike library location, please reflect on the question as to whether you want your son or daughter (or granddaughter, grandson, niece, nephew, family friend, or acquaintance) to be able to walk to a library which works, but may be as old as the school he or she attends, or whether you want your daughter or son to not have access to a library at all unless you are available to drive them there or pay for them to ride a bus. The same hold true for individuals of any age; is a working, old, yet accessible library better than no accessible library? Do we stop reading old books entirely because they are old and we have the option of reading new, shiny books instead?To those who are deciding on this issue, please do not simply look at a list of benefits of having a new library location, or solely consider the age of the current location, but also look at the map, readily available on Arlington County's website, of the current location of all library branches. It will be plain to see that the Columbia Pike library is exactly where it should be.
Why can't we have both? Columbia Pike is growing. A lot of new apartment building are being put in, and the county wants more. That is why we need two libraries.
I agree that moving the Columbia Pike branch library to the Arlington Mill community is a very good idea. It would serve the communities that live in Arlington Mill.
Wouldn't that put two libraries (Glen Carlyn and Arlington Mill) in one neighborhood, more or less? And a big library gap in an up and coming area? Hmmmmm….
Please keep Columbia PIke library in its current location!
A move to a new location will most certainly be a loss. I do visit the library every week, and I will NOT visit the new location. The relocation makes little sense–take a look at the library distribution throughout the county. Moving the library leaves the East end of Columbia Pike without a branch even as the county has approved density.
What a lousy idea to close the library (move=close).Do we get to vote on it?Do not move it – create a branch at Arl Mill if necessary.
Please do not relocate the Columbia Pike branch library. I also moved to Arlington Village less than two months ago because the presence of a library branch within walking distance was high on my list of community amenities. I previously lived in Pentagon City and loved being able to walk to the Aurora Hills library branch. Contrary to popular opinion, libraries are important community resources to more than just families with children and senior citizens (I am single, childless, and in my mid-30s). As other posters have noted, it seems counter-productive to move the branch so close to an existing branch (Glencarlyn) and leave eastern Columbia Pike underserved. With all of the new apartments being built near Columbia Pike & Walter Reed, this library branch is a great selling point for filling those new units.
Every neighborhood should have a library. The library serves a vital role in creating a livable community, a desirable community, a walkable community, a community that is inclusive of people of all ages, all abilities and all socio-economic backgrounds. It is a place for students to do their homework, older adults to check email, toddlers to be introduced to the joy of books, and for me .. I love walking a couple blocks over to check out a book or movie, get on the internet, enjoy the sense of community. I support Arlington Mill having its own library. — but not at the expense of losing the library located at the Career Center site serving Arlington Heights, Penrose, Douglas Park and several other civic neighborhoods. Having the library in the proposed Town Center in the form based code, co-existing with 2 educational facilities, providing services to a diverse citizenry, serving as an amenity as new people move into the new Columbia Pike developments shows that the County has made a commitment to enhancing the quality of life and the livability of the adjoining neighborhoods and civic associations. The county’s commitment can’t just be to roads, rails, buses and urban development .. it needs to be to ensuring the cultural life of the community as well. The library, the services it provides and the important role it plays in our community, at the Career Center, is an essential part of our cultural and community life and should stay at its current location.
The Pike Library has been a walk-to community service since I was a child in the 40's. Relocating to Barcroft for any of the county staff's reasons simply ignores the elephant in the room: they would eliminate a basic service from the Pike east end and give the west end triple service (Shirlington, Barcroft, Glen Carlyn).
Why is this being set-up as an either-or decision between the current Columbia Pike branch and Arlington Mill? I have no objection to a new Arlington Mill branch but it is certainly not a substitute for the Columbia Pike library at its current location — it is more than a mile away from the current location. As a resident of Arlington Heights I enjoy walking to the Columbia Pike library. If I have to get in my car and drive to the library then I'll drive to the Central library, not some new branch library at Arlington Mill. So much for the highly touted "car free diet". I guess I just gained 2,000 pounds.
I work within walking distance to the current CP library and would definitely miss it if it moves to Arlington Mill. I vist the library during my lunch time or after work and will probably limit my visits if it is relocated.
As a beneficiary of a the proposed move, I still do not support it. My family is within walking distance to the Glencarlyn Branch. And though moving to the Mill would be closer for us, the marginal benefits (to our neighborhood)of such a move outweigh the marginal costs to the community that lives near the existing branch, IMHO.A new branch at the Mill? Nice idea, but not realistic (since they're cutting back on branch hours).Proximity to schools? Sure, at the Mill it would serve many Kenmore kids who live closer to the Mill than their school. But they have a library a mere 4 blocks from their school too…I too would like to see usage data for Glencarlyn and Col Pike branches. I don't know particulars of the plan, but having been burned by APS withdrawal from Arlington Mill (and thus setting the renovation process back 6-8-10? years), I don't trust APS to do what is in the best interest of the community.
How can you justify reducing the hours and days that Arlington libraries are open, firing professional staff and eliminating the music cd collection, while building a new space for the Columbia Pike Library. A library that was recently renovated, is heavily used and is within walking distance of a densely populated residential area.
Y'all can ride that fancy street car to Arlington Mill…. it gonna be real nice…fo you rich folk
Please don't move the library. We love it there, and visit every day. It's within walking distance and I would love to be able to visit this with my kids in the future.
There does not seem to be a good rationale for moving the Columbia Pike library. Geographically, the current arrangement seems to spread the library branches out nicely in the service area south of Arlington Blvd. The proposed arrangement would put three branches in a line (Glencarlyn, new Columbia Pike, Shirlington) south of George Mason, leaving from George Mason to the river unserved. Additionally, as the Columbia Pike redevelopment moves ahead the population of the area immediately surrounding the current Columbia Pike location can be expected to increase, creating even more reason to retain the Columbia Pike library at its current location.
As a teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, I would like to see the library stay in its current location as it would seriously impact students and their learning. Many students do not have access to resources such as computers and the internet at home and would not be able to access the library with ease at the Arlington Mill location. Please consider the overall impact on students at nearby schools as well as the community the library serves before considering the move to Arlington Mill.
Please do not close our neighborhood library!
I wrote a comment but somehow lost it before posting. Do not move our neighborhood library. My nephew, who is diagnosed with Downs, loves to visit the library and checks out books on a regular basis. He lives a short distance from the library. His mother, who just turned 80, takes him there. If this is moved, then I'm afraid the trips to the library will cease. If Arlington Mill will have excess room, then why not move the Glencarlyn library facility there. I hope I will be able to attend the meeting on Wednesday to discuss this. I do hope there will be an honest, open-minded discussion of this. Leave our library here where it belongs.
I am shocked that anyone would consider moving the library from its present location. For as long as I can remember Columbia Pike has had its library where hundreds of people walk to (65 years). Its a part of my personal life. It is a definite asset to the community . I won't be using the Arlington Mill. It makes sense to keep the location in lieu of the revitalization of the Pike.
First of all, could we PLEASE dispel with the myth that Shirlington is withing walking distance from those who live near (the shell of) Arlington Mill Community Center? From the Mill to Shirlington is 1.6 mi. For those who are regular walkers, that might be a reasonable distance. If so, for comparison sake, it is 1.4 mi from the current location of Col Pike branch to Arlington Mill. I agree that Arlington Mill is within walking distance from Glencarly Branch. However that walk would take individuals through the woods – nice walk for a male, or a group, but not what I would consider safe for my 11 y/o daughter to do on her own.Regarding population density…when it was open, Arlington Mill CC served a large population on the West End of the Pike. The area around the Mill continues to be a high-density area, with several multi-family units.Would we call this a "PIMBY" debate? Strong argumenst can be made for both locations. WIth all due respect to historical connections to the Col Pike branch, it think it would be important to have some objective criteria upon which to base this proposal.What are reasonable criteria for deciding between 2 deserving communities? Density? Which area has the highest density population? Income? Which area has the lowest average income levels? I would support a branch in either place, as long as we are using reasonable, objective criteria.
I can't believe how few people have mentioned the redundancy that would be created by having libraries at Glencarlyn and Arlington Mill but nothing east of Arlington Mill. I could maybe support this if the budget dictated that we had to have one fewer branch… then maybe you could close both the Penrose branch and the Glencarlyn branch and open one between those sites at Arlington Mill, and having a newer facility would be a consolation. As it is, this is not justifiable.If this happens, I'm starting the campaign to close the Glencarlyn branch.
The current library is the heart of the community. It is always full of people and humming. It is walkable to a huge and growing demographic and steps from what will be the new center of Columbia Pike at Penrose Square. Go ahead and add a library at Arlington Mill. But don't rip out our heart.Janet Dorn
I understand the arguments put forward about an improved space in the new center. However the rest of the arguments towards the community center being a better location seem weak. The potential cost savings only come about due to staffing after an initial outlay of $500K which is probably 2.5-5 years of a full time employee. The county has committed to revitalizing the Columbia Pike corridor and the library in its current location is right next to the Town Center. The argument about nearby population is fairly skewed due to the multiple large construction projects near the current library that will dramatically increase the population. Furthermore, the current location is a block and a half off Columbia Pike (as the Central library is off of Fairfax Dr) and has more bus routes passing within half a mile than the new location.
There is no reason to close a functioning library.
My first reaction is that with all the proposed development coming to the Pike, it would seem that both the current location and the Arlington Mill location would be well served by library branches. I think some additional information is warranted to help us citizens be well-informed, and provide meaningful feedback:1) Is this being proposed because the library budget needs to be trimmed, and this would seem a way to do it? If so, I am not sure of the math.2) I understand that the Glencarlyn branch is close to Arlington Mill – I am curious why the proposal would not be to move the Glencarlyn branch to the new Arlington Mill.3) I think a few people have asked – what are the circulation numbers at all the branches? Are we able to find that posted online somewhere?4)Someone asked about projected densities, and I know the County has some projections. I think it is a good question and the community should look at where we will be in 20 years – will this library branch be serving twice as many people, and if so, does it make sense to move it?5) Would closing this branch have a negative impact on the Patrick Henry Elementary library services? Do educators at Patrick Henry rely on being able to obtain materials from this branch – which has many children's book titles? If this branch went away, would Henry need to spend additional money to compensate in any way?6) If the Career Center is to be redeveloped as either another high school or an expanded building for its current programming, wouldn't it still need to have a library? I have assumed it doesn't because of the existing branch. A partnership between APS and the County to maintain a library for the school and the community at this site still seems like it makes sense, and could be cost-effective.7) With the removal of the current branch, I agree with previous comments that the distribution of library services would be skewed toward the west end of the Pike. Does Arlington Mill need additional programming to justify its existence, or did it just seem like a good idea to centralize as many community services as possible in the same location?
My family has lived in Arlington Heights for 5 years and we are frequent visitors to the library. While the closing of the Columbia Pike library would certainly be disappointing to me, my husband and our preschoolers, I am not as worried about my family as I am for other county residents. Why?My children have access to a few hundred books in our house, we subscribe to 3 different children's magazines, we have 2 computers, we have a car and my kids have a safe place to go everyday after school. They would be fine and everything would remain status quo. However, there are 1,000's of children in the county who don't have it as "good" as my kids. There are 100's (if not more) who live within walking distance of the Columbia Pike Library. Many have parents who work multiple jobs and are therefore absent from home after school. Others are in financial distress so they cannot afford books and/or computers. There are probably even some children who live in unsafe home situations and the library provides a safe haven from the chaos of their home lives. If the library closes, we will be failing these kids. How can our county government feel good about that? Moley EvansMom and Teacher
I see one argument for the closure (That's what it amounts to) of the beloved CP library is the alleged population density of the new site. Will this new criteria be applied to all arlington libraries? Or only those in South Arlington? Let's see circulation numbers for all the libraries, please.
Why close and move our library to a location where there are two existing branches, Shirlington and Glen Carlyn. The county has invested millions in the development of Columbia Pike, just look at the new restaurants, three new apartment building, farmer's market, and more. The library is just as an important asset to our community as the previously mentioned new development. The neighborhoods in this part of South Arlington need this branch, please don't move our library.
Don't take our local library away. The children and community use it regularly, plus the Arlington Mill project is not anticipated to be completed until 2013 in a smaller space! We love and appreciate the library, it would be a terrible loss to our community if it is removed.
At last evening's meeting I was pleased to learn that the Columbia Pike branch has the third largest circulation in Arlingon, behind Central and Shirlington. But Columbia Pike's circulation numbers are even more impressive when you consider Central's much larger size and the recent major capital investment in Shirlington. A better performance measure might be circulation-per-cost. If you measured circulation divided by costs (maybe amortized investment costs plus on-going operations costs) then I suspect that Columbia Pike would fare better than Central or Shirlington.
I wouldn't mind if the library moved. Arlington mill is closer to where I live, and I currently have no library within walking distance.
The Deputy County Manager's statement: “We don’t have the operating budget to run two branch libraries on Columbia Pike” is geographically illogical. Columbia Pike runs about four miles through Arlington from the Pentagon to Bailey's Crossroads. Does that mean that there cannot be two libraries located anywhere along those four miles near Columbia Pike? Does that mean that the Central Library and Westover Library cannot both be located near Washington Blvd because that would violate their policy of not having two libraries near the same thoroughfare? A location on a map is defined in two coordinates, not one. The proposed new Arlington Mill library is 1.3 miles away from the Columbia Pike library and would serve a different population. The library system has budget for constructing and operating those facilities that it deems to be priorities (for example, new libraries at Westover and Shirlington and now at Arlington Mill). It's pretty clear that the Columbia Pike library is just not a priority to the library system.
Wow! I just looked at the pictures of the new Westover branch on the library's website. At first I thought I was looking at pictures of a cathedral. It actually has stained glass windows! So, the library system had funds in 2009 to complete a new extravagant library at Westover, which apparently has lower circulation than Columbia Pike, but now they don't have funds available to keep one of its three most-used libraries open? It must be important to have an "N" prefix on your street address instead of an "S" if you want to get your share of the library's budget. At least the Westover "move" was a legitimate move of a few blocks instead of a closure and new branch opening.
A few of the comments mention the 2008 Building Plan and the fact that Columbia Pike Library was always part of the plan on Walter Reed Dr. This was the point I made Wed. night but my comment was dismissed by Arlington County Staff. We were told that We should keep an "open mind" about how the new library would work. We were told this was an "opportunity." Really. Opportunity for whom? It could rain down offal on us and we would be told it was an opportunity. This is an odious plan.
Here is what was apparent after this week's meeting:1) The county's "plan" is opportunistic and in no ways strategic.2) They have no idea how important this library is to the people that use it. If they spent one afternoon here, they would understand.3) They decided the library should be closed and a new one opened in a new place and they then searched for reasons to justify this. They made the decision first and found evidence after.4) Many of their reasons for this were somewhat lame – population density (extended to 3/4 of a mile and it evens out); 2 floors versus one ( the central library is on two floors); the size (proposed library is smaller_; co-location issue (ha ha – Col. Pike library has many cultural events, artistic displays etc.); worn-down appearance of col. pike branch (Just who is responsible for this? Library management.)Someone really wants a new library and they want to destroy ours. Where does the head librarian live? Is it in North Arlington?
Wednesday night's presentation on the proposal to 'relocate' the Columbia Pike Library to the Arlington Mill Center was exceedingly disingenuous on a number of different levels. The primary 'justification' for considering the move was supposedly the higher population density within 1/2 mile of Arlington Mill at the west end of the Pike vis-a-vis the current Career Center location at the east end (16,929 vs 7606, based on 2009 estimates); and while the number given for the Arlington Mill area seems fairly reasonable (2000 census data listed for Barcroft, Claremont, Columbia Forest, Columbia Heights West, and Forest Glen total 16,014, though only half of Barcroft is actually within 1/2 mile of Arlington Mill), the number given for the Career Center is ludicrously low-balled. Arlington Heights, Columbia Heights East, and Penrose alone totaled 12,307 back in 2000, and adding Alcova Heights (half of which is within 1/2 mile of the Career Center), Arlington View, and Foxcroft (all of which would be equally disadvantaged by any relocation away from the Career Center) brings the 2000 total up to 15,527. And this of course ignores the substantial boost in population we will see with the completion of the Siena Park, Halstead, and Adams Square projects only a few blocks from the Career Center.Similarly, it was noted that staff made no effort to present a visual geographic distribution of the current library locations relative to what the system would look like after the proposed relocation. The reason is rather self-evident, since the current distribution is actually fairly efficient, with nearly all Arlingtonians located within 1 mile of a library–except for those in the far north of the county, and a small area south of the west end of Columbia Pike. This is, of course, an excellent reason for adding some sort of library service at the Arlington Mill Center (perhaps something similar to the Courthouse Plaza site?); but if it comes at the cost of 'relocating' the current Columbia Pike Library, a huge gap is opened up in the library distribution–with essentially everyone south of Arlington Blvd, north of 16th St S, and east of Oakland St now further than 1 mile from the nearest library branch. Needless to say, few of us who currently frequent the Columbia Pike Library, often on foot or by bike, would bother to make the much longer trip to Arlington Mill for library service. We'll just get in a car (if we have access to one) and drive to Central like everyone else, or drastically cut back on our use of the library system entirely. Likewise, if as some have suggested, the Glencarlyn Library were to be relocated to Arlington Mill instead, a somewhat smaller but still substantial hole opens up for those living south of Wilson Blvd, north of Arlington Blvd, and west of Edison St. While it is definitely a worthy goal to offer a neighborhood library to those currently without such service, it is neither ethically nor practically advisable to do so at the obvious expense of those of us long accustomed to such an amenity–particularly when many of us moved to our current location precisely because of its proximity to the Columbia Pike Library. Furthermore, to pit one community against another, whether deliberately or unintentionally (as any such proposal to relocate an existing library beyond easy walking distance from its current location is bound to do) is simply beyond the pale of any reasonable definition of good government.
Didn't I hear that this silly proposal is now off the table? We get to keep our little library?