To the editor:
I agree with all the community-centric objectives cited in trying to justify a new library, I just don’t think that we need a new building to achieve them! What we need is staffing, coordination, and leadership to achieve the goals in the spaces we already have.
Consider the Merritt Center in MarketStreet. It was designed as a community center — a few smaller rooms backing a large multi-purpose room — but no organization/staffing/leadership followed so the space was used differently. Today we have a TV station blocking an underutilized meeting room in a building that rejects visitors (no public restrooms!). It is unacceptable! We should go back to the original goal by moving the TV station to the High School where we could then offer performing arts programs — like we used to — and promote student involvement.
Same story with the building that houses the Senior Center and school administration (about 20 people.) If the school administration was housed in the schools, like they used to be, that whole building could become a community center/library annex without impacting the Senior Center.
There are more underutilized assets that could be put under this “Lynnfield Greater Library” as long as it is properly organized and staffed. A few dedicated professionals could oversee the coordination of activities in the available facilities. Naturally none of this is going to happen for free, but at least the community would not suffer the increased taxes necessary to repay a debt of $25 million or so!
Over the next couple of weeks, the proponents of a new building are going to make presentations to several boards in advance of the special Town Meeting scheduled for March 18. I hope they answer the following questions: “What are the advantages of their proposal over the alternative I am suggesting? Are they worth the price?” I hope that these same dedicated advocates help complete a feasibility study of my alternative solution. It could lead to a fiscally responsible project proposal satisfying all goals. Worth a try, don’t you think?
Dan Abenaim
