Recently the Gilliam-Grant Community Center Board presented information to the Byron-Bergen Public Library Board and to representative of the Towns of Bergen and Byron concerning their current financial situation. Due to the economic impact on the Gilliam-Grant Community Center's endowment, the Gilliam-Grant Community Center is forced to severely cut their operating budget and reduce overhead costs to preserve their future within the community. Gilliam-Grant Community Center inquired whether the Byron-Bergen Public Library and the Towns would consider library consolidation as an option.
The Library Board is, in concert with Board officials from Bergen and Byron, researching the financial aspects, location possibilities, and public support of options in response to this financial challenge as presented by the Gilliam-Grant Community Center. Please contact Gilliam-Grant Community Center for further information about their financial situation.
Public forums in Bergen and Byron will be conducted for the residents to
voice their support or concerns will be held at the following locations and times....
Wednesday, June 17th 2009 - 7:00pm at the Byron Town Hall
Thursday, June 18th - 7:00 pm at the Bergen Town Hall
For more information, you can go to either library and pick up an information packet.
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I work at the Byron Bergen Public Library, part time----now here is my opinion.
Keep the library in the village of Bergen.
So many people enjoy walking to the village library, whether it's summer or winter, it makes no difference. Where is the sense of taking our village library and moving it out to the boonies? Not just that...but move our library out there, and it will loose it's identity. People won't call it the Byron Bergen Public Library any more... it will become, by nickname, the Gillliam Grant Library, even though we'd be paying rent and not funded by them. And to move it to the Gilliam Grant will cost the tax payers even more money than to just move some book from the Gilliam Grant Library. Not all of the Gilliam Grant Library books will be moved, some will be sold and the monies will go back to Byron. The relationship betewen the two librearies is as such...
The Gilliam Grant Library is a contracting library under the auspices of the Byron Bergen Public Library. This means that the charter to maintain and provide services for both libraries is held by the Byron Bergen Public Library. Funds from the towns of Bergen and Byron and from Genesee County are used to pay the operating costs (saleries, rent, books, materials, etc.) of the library located in the Village of Bergen. A portion of the Byron funds is designated to Gilliam Grant Library to purchase books and materials and provide programs. Beyond that, the overhead and general operating costs of the contracting library, located at the Gilliam Grant, are included in the Gilliam Grant Library's budget
This is why people of Byron and Bergen NEED to come to these meetings. They need to hear both sides. So far, to me, the information packet is one sided... the Gilliam Grant Library's side. Not once does it mention how the Library benefits from being where it is..... in the Village of Bergen
So people..... PLEASE GET INVOLVED!
Bergen's Library has been a
Bergen's Library has been a vital part of the village for decades. The shelves that house the collection were built by local woodworkers. When a permanent home for the collection was denied, volunteers stowed the books in their homes until a space was made available. Generations of civic-minded villagers have devoted time and energy to maintaining a village Library. My mother, Virginia Barons, was one of those civic-minded individuals that dedicated herself to a local Library.
Moving the Library to the Townline Road campus is a disservice to those who use it. This same knee-jerk mentality was behind the brainchild to locate the skate park at the Gilliam Grant Center. Why situate a community facility that caters to children in a location that demands transportation? It makes no sense. It will be the undoing of the Library. One might logically question: Why does the village Library thrive and the Gilliam Center Library suffer? Well, it's location!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I have no gripe with helping the folks who live in Byron get a Library. Why should their satisfaction come at the expense of Bergen's Library. It's reasonable to share one Library between the two, but Byron and Bergen are seven miles apart. The arbitrary solution: putting one Library in the middle is misguided. Leave the Library in Bergen. Move the Gilliam Grant Library to Byron. Share the personnel.
Whatever the decision, it should be made by customers of the Bergen Library; not some quick-fix politicians that never set foot in the place! Neither should it be an administrator at the Gilliam Grant Center whose motive is upping membership there.
I agree with you Mr. Barons.
I agree with you Mr. Barons. Another branch in Byron would be the best way to go. I bet if the library at the Gilliam Grant were in Byron, rather than where it is, it would get more patrons.