A.G. Gancarski
It seemed the Tommy Hazouri proposal to rebuild the Jacksonville Library system by restoring hours in challenged neighborhoods would meet with approval from the finance committee on Friday. Then, Councilman Matt Schellenberg spoke up, wondering why there is no “preference to one or two of the libraries” in his Mandarin district, which have been “excluded” from this proposal.
Councilman Bill Gulliford, representing the Beaches, noted that his area was not part of the proposal.
“I don’t like it that the Beaches Library isn’t open on Sunday,” but he won’t vote against the proposal.
Tommy Hazouri spoke up, saying that “this is going leaps beyond what we did in the last two or three years, when they took away the dollars.”
A big part of the proposal: making Highlands a regional library.
“I would hope that all of us realize that adding the hours in the core urban hours is important,” Hazouri said. “It makes all the sense in the world to look at the Jacksonville Journey,” he added, and link the library rebuild proposal with Journey initiatives to “start using the eight hours at those libraries.”
‘We’re starting to make this a priority again,” Hazouri added.
He also pointed out that the mayor’s staff is on board.
Council President Greg Anderson indicated that he’s “excited” about this.
Lori Boyer supports the plan to expand also, citing “real challenges” in Arlington and the Urban Core, and saying this plan is a “step in the right direction.” She does not support Hazouri pushing to link this initiative to the Jacksonville Journey.
Crescimbeni pointed out the need to “boost the gate count” at one particular library, that gets forty people on average a day. He wants an updated gate count for all libraries to determine usage.
Schellenberg was unmollified, saying that the JPL should “pick one” library in his Mandarin district to give extended hours for equity purposes, citing that Mandarin is a “much bigger travel area” and its needs are unaddressed by the current proposal.
“One Jacksonville, one city,” and you have “eliminated” the people in his district, Schellenberg continued.
“I love our libraries in Mandarin,” said Hazouri, who lives in Schellenberg’s district, “but what we’re doing today sends a big statement” regarding resources.
The motion carried.
