** 6/18/10: The proposal regarding Columbia Pike Branch Library was withdrawn Friday, June 18, in a press release from the County Manager’s office.**
Updates and information about the proposed relocation of the Columbia Pike Branch Library
Library News Posts:
- Town Hall Invitation from Library Director Diane Kresh 6/7/10
- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions 6/10/10
Documents:
- Presentation: Columbia Pike Civic Associations Presidents Meeting 6/14/10
- Presentation: Library Town Hall Meeting 6/17/10
Links:
- Arlington Mill Community Center Renovation Latest News (updated 3/9/2012)
I am a resident of Arlington Heights, one of the neighborhoods bordering the Columbia Pike Library. I am unable to attend the community meeting tonight, however, I want to voice my opinion that the library should remain at it's current location. In addition to being walking distance from my home, it is close to the Career Center and Patrick Henry Elementary, the school my children attend. The children's librarian there has developed a rapport with the Henry children and is easily accessible to them given the current location of the library. It is accessible to the older students of the career center without them having to worry about driving or finding a ride to do research projects or simply study in a quiet place. If the library is moved to the Arlington Mill site, I can honestly say I will be unlikely to use it.
Tonight's public discussion regarding the proposal to move the Columbia Pike library had some profound and moving moments. My "learning to read" kid,young middle schooler and husband are voracious users of the Columbia Pike branch – we walk, etc.. What I didn't truly see before was the tremendous array and volume of Arlington citizens– at completely different stages in life–who clearly depend on this branch for key life, education and cultural needs — and do so in part because of its walking proximity and – this must be understood – its tremendous staff/programs/resources/atmosphere. One parent – not born in this country with children who were – related her 18 years of residency and use of the library to learn English and give her children a safe place to effectively learn and do well in school. Her comment – "I've been here for 18 years – maybe nobody noticed" – was moving. Given this dialogue begins while families will scatter during summer break – I hope the county will give weight and look at a few key demographic data points while hearing the human stories that make policy decisions more difficult: What is the age breakdown for Columbia Pike library users – specifically – what percentage are seniors? Of those seniors, how many are in lower economic households/no cars who will depend on paying for senior bus service to reach this location? What is the economic breakdown of families who use the library? Of these users, how many don't own computers? How many will need to take the bus/vs walk? Given the tandem recently announced decreased operating hours for Arlington libraries, I am frustrated at the overall shrinking library budget and would support any means to increase overall spending and feel there would be a willingness to pay by most Arlingtonians to maintain/expand library services. I'm hoping, finally, that if an existing library must go that perhaps a north Arlington branch might also be considered. One could make the argument that the families at the higher economic levels in north Arlington might fare better at driving to a different branch than those on the Pike who seem more dependent on buses, free computer access and a safe place for their children to study/do their homework. Thanks for your time.
This is Robyn Dennis in Penrose. I went to the meeting on 6/16. I was amazed that this was presented as a proposal…..policy makers should gather facts — all the relevant facts, not just the ones you like — BEFORE presenting a proposal. You should gather community input on options, not present some random proposal that makes no sense. This whole process seems to be backward to me. I heard no good, cogent reason to close the Columbia Pike Library. I did MOT hear several of the "hard" questions answered. County staff glossed over and deflected the "hard" questions. It does not appear this is a very well thought out idea. I would suggest that the whole process start over and do it correctly this time. A good start would be a meeting to determine possible options BEFORE a proposal so the best one can be AGREED on before it is submitted. We feel like we have been railroaded and dismissed. I'm sure that is not the impression you wished to give, but that is what came accross.
I understand that a capital investment has already been made and that moving the library to Arlington Mill would save the library annual operating costs. The question that I wanted to as at the town hall, but did not have the opportunity to, is will that savings be reinvested in that potential future branch by expanding the collection, investing in staff and/or expanding hours? Or is the "savings" just a way to cut even more out of the library budget?
Why is this site buried on the second page of the library site. You have buried it because you do not want people to know about what you are doing
At the meeting last night, the new county manager stressed the need to deliver library services in new ways. This is a good idea and should start with Arlington Mills. Leave Columbia Pike alone and put into Arlington Mills computer terminals, meeting rooms and possibly a facility to pick up and return books placed on hold.Note that the density figures used in the FAQs are based on 2009 population numbers. Thus the nearly 1,000 apartments under construction or just completed within two blocks of the existing library were not factored in. Once these apartments are filled the density around Columbia Pike will be significantly larger than that around Arlington Mills.
If this move does happen, will we lose the "Cybercenter"?
I would be very upset if the Columbia Pike Branch closed. I enjoy walking to this branch with my daugther in her stroller so much. Before we moved to Arlington, we lived in a Maryland suburb where we did not have the ability to walk anywhere without the risk of getting hit by a car on a highway. Being able to take advantage of the close proximity of our home to this library makes my life so much more enjoyable. Truly a cherry on top of the sundae.
I live closer to Central Library but I choose to go to Columbia Pike because I was raised in that community. No Library = Nothing
Hopefully the community reaction will do what it was meant to do and by next week the Board will realize this alterntaive was not a good idea and move on. We can go to the beach etc. otherwise there would need to be public meetings to gather requirements,form community committees distribute information and the Board is scheduled to vote in September. I don't think so. The hit and run process just does not work in Arlington thank goodness.
I have lived in various part of South Arlington — sometimes within walking distance of Arlington Mill and sometimes within walking distance of Columbia Pike Library. I consider both communities home. So, I agree that the Columbia Heights (East and West) communities would benefit from a library; however, it should not be at the expense of the current Columbia Pike branch on Walter Reed Drive.The Columbia Pike branch is a well loved and highly used part of its current community. It is located near multiple schools, homes, apartment buildings and the Arlington Career Center, and contributes considerably to the family friendly feel of the neighborhood which people would like to retain — especially given the increased commercial development of the area. Removing the library would therefore hurt the community not help. Balance of course is needed and the Columbia Heights community would definitely like to have a new library. So, I concur with the above suggestion that the county use some of the Arlington Mill space to create an EXTENSION of the Columbia Pike branch, but not as a replacement for it.Previously Arlington Mill was an educational center with English as a Second Language (ESL) and other young and adult education classes. However, the education center was eventually closed and relocated, and a joint public/private enterprise was earmarked for the Arlington Mill location. Unfortunately, the project did not get off the ground to the great disappointment of the community. So, rather than relocate the current Columbia Pike library to Arlington Mill and risk it not reaching the same user level as the current branch, it would be better to take the suggestion offered above and use some of the Arlington Mill space as an extension library. Let’s first see how it is received and what the community’s information needs are at the location. The county could then utilize the remainder of the Arlington Mill space for other services that would be beneficial to Columbia Heights – such as expanding the children’s after school community center and its affordable programs – “Hint, Hint”.
This proposal is not a relocation. It is the closing of Columbia Pike Library and the opening of Arlington Mill Library.
As residents of Arlington Heights for the past 23 years, my wife and I have followed the slow steps to improve and revitalize the Columbia Pike neighborhood centered on the intersection of the Pike at Walter Reed. Finally we are witnessing the results, as new apartment buildings, new stores and shopping facilities are approaching reality. Throughout these past decades the Columbia Pike Branch Library has been an anchor for the community as we waited for redevelopment to reach fruition. To uproot this anchor, just as thousands of new residents are expected to move into and join the community is a sad thought. They too will want and expect valuable community services such as the library provides to residents of all ages. Now is the time to expand, improve and embrace the Columbia Pike Branch Library at its present location. Let this deep root of our community grow even stronger and vital in the lives of long time residents, while we witness the library becoming a valuable resource in the lives of new residents.
After reading the FAQ I am concerned that there are a mix of facts and data that are incorrect and subjective. Opinions and feelings are fine, unless presented as conclusions and facts. Can the Library revise the FAQ into to groups one that presents specific facts with data and one that represents opinions of staff based on their experience/beliefs. For example; greater access to Public Transportation. How many bus routes within a quarter mile of each library which includes ridership of the routes. Insert table to support the statement which is greater. Populations served should include Penrose, Sienna, and Halstead in your counts in a footnote at least if you are going to use the 2009 data. Complete multiple radius analysis of 1/2, 1, 1.5 miles analysis. The APS Planning units provide great GIS data so I am sure the County must have better data to do this analysis.
Update – on Friday afternoon The County Manager withdrew the proposal to relocate the Columbia Pike Library – here's the press release.
I'm happy that library remains in it's current location Thank you for the blessed decision !
Only the press release link is still valid. Can you update the other documents and links so patrons can review a more complete history of the Columbia Pike Branch? Thank you.
We will update the links as soon as possible – thanks for pointing out that they need to be reconnected.
The links should all work now.