Readers Respond -- Mariners joint-use library debate continues

We are strong supporters of the new Mariners library and hope you are,

too. I grew up here and now I have a family of my own with three

school-age daughters. I went to Mariners Elementary School and have many

happy memories of time spent in our local library.

I am an avid reader today thanks to the encouragement I received there

and materials made available to me. What a great gift this very important

facility would be to our neighborhood and our community. This project

would truly be a legacy to our children and many generations to come.

Our state has cut back on so much over the years pertaining to

education. Please let this new Mariners library be a prominent example of

what a committed city like Newport Beach can do to really come together

and make a significant difference for the benefit of all citizens.

ROBERT J. BROOKES JR.

Newport Beach

As a taxpaying citizen for more than 25 years and as a parent in the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District for more than six years, I’m a

little confused over Newport Beach’s bid for school funds to build a

library that will mostly benefit Newport Beach and one school within the

district -- Mariner’s Elementary School (“New questions arise around

library,” Saturday).

Why can’t this apparently available school district money be equally

apportioned among all the school district libraries? I know our library

could use some of this proverbial pie. On a year-to-year basis, our

librarian must conduct exhausting, time-consuming fund-raisers -- which,

of necessity, limit the use of the library for more than four weeks per

year as the library is turned into a “bookstore.”

And now, in order to make this joint-use library safe for Mariner’s

Elementary children -- which I think is a significant concern -- the

general public will be prohibited from using this “public” library’s

children’s section for upward of 30 hours per week.

Again I, as an in-district taxpayer, am going to be shortchanged. Not

to mention that, even with the numerous safety accommodations being made

for the joint-use situation, nothing will come close to being as safe or

comforting as being able to walk down the hall to your on-campus school

library (without your teacher in tow) and whenever the need arises.

DIANE GOMEZ

Costa Mesa

I would like to express my wholehearted support of the Mariners

library building project.

I live in this area and have had occasion to use this library branch.

I have seen firsthand how its proximity to Mariners school has served as

a convenient resource facility for the students of Mariners school and

not just as a baby-sitting facility.

I believe that early exposure to a library provides a lasting

impression on students of its worth and value as a source for yet another

learning opportunity.

Surely in this time, when computers and electronic games play such a

large part in the distraction of after school children, that exposure of

these same children to a good library has got to be a good thing. Please

believe that this project is an important and positive addition to our

great community.

DEAN D. REAVIE

Newport Beach

Through the efforts of a small group of concerned parents, I have

recently become informed regarding the details of the proposed joint-use

Mariners branch library. Quite honestly, I don’t know which concerns me

more -- the city’s tactics to keep these details from the public or the

details themselves.

It seems the city has refused to provide a forum for the opposition to

be heard, and then self-righteously cites the fact that only a few

parents have expressed any concern or opposition whatsoever to the new

library plan. As a mother of a 4-year-old, I must say, “shame on you.”

The city cites a desire to qualify for first priority Proposition 14

funds as its primary reason for the present joint-use library plan. I

have recently read that the city’s chance to obtain top priority funding

from the state is not conditioned upon having a joint-use library as

presently planned by the city. I understand that these coveted funds are

available whether or not Mariners school’s on-campus library is subsumed

by the new branch library. If this is true, then it defies common sense

to even consider the plan as it presently exists.

Even if this wasn’t the case, I am compelled to ask, “Why on earth

would adults charged with the responsibility of protecting grammar school

children voluntarily elect to integrate those children with the general

public during school hours?” As the mother of a young child, I am at a

complete loss for an acceptable answer to that question. There is no

price worth paying for the safety of my son. I submit to you that all

parents feel as I do and that, if all of the parents in our community

knew what the city is contemplating, they would be outraged.

As for the city’s response that these safety concerns are exaggerated

by those opposed to the present joint-use plan, I cite the fact that,

while the planned heightened security at the new library is much

appreciated, it is proof positive that the city does, in fact, share

those concerns.

Given the stakes involved, there appears to be no reason for this

“rush to judgment.” Why not inform the members of our community as to

the options regarding acquisition of the Proposition 14 funds, and then

allow them to meaningfully participate in the decision-making process.

From what I understand, there are two more grant application periods.

Therefore, the city loses absolutely nothing by taking a step back and

considering alternatives that may better serve the needs and concerns of

our entire community.

As a concerned citizen and parent, I urge the city to reconsider its

position. Let’s work together to come up with a better solution. It

certainly can’t hurt to try.

JACKIE JOSEPH

Newport Beach