Letter: Some points on downtown library

• Published: Sep 7, 2009

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I was out of town and not able to attend the Trahan Architects’ presentation on the River Center Branch Library. A review of the online presentation indicates “precedent research” of very large libraries: London, Seattle, Centre Pompidou, Stockholm, Boston Public Library, New Haven, Conn., Phoenix Central Library, Winnipeg Centennial Library.

Are these all main libraries? Baton Rouge’s River Center is a BRANCH library.

Points:

• East Baton Rouge Parish REGIONAL libraries are: Bluebonnet (37,600 square feet), Jones Creek (35,000 square feet), and Greenwell Springs (26,672 square feet).
• With 29,950 square feet, the River Center Branch is essentially the size of a regional branch.
• There are 13 libraries in the East Baton Rouge Parish system. According to 2008 year-end statistics, the River Center Branch Library is the fourth largest, however, that branch ranks 11th in circulation, 11th in gate count, and 11th in reference questions.
• The River Center Branch, with 29,950 square feet, had circulation of 35,107, while Carver Branch, the smallest library, with 12,000 square feet, had circulation of 45,809.
• The River Center Branch gate count reflects the fact that the jury pool is currently required to use that facility. When the new courthouse is completed, the jury pool will no longer have to use the River Center Branch, and the library’s gate count will undoubtedly be substantially lower.

Therefore, the most prudent use of taxpayer funds would be to remodel the existing facility.

Gayle B. Smith
homemaker and literacy volunteer
Baton Rouge