Library Language: Part One
What Does Your Library Say About Your Neighborhood?
It’s been an interesting weekend, to say the least. Sometimes the contrast of inequity in our neighborhoods is so stark, it can change the course of a family outing.
Luxe Libraries For All
Show me your closest library, and I’ll show you what your city council thinks of your neighborhood.
One of the first things I do when moving into a new neighborhood or city is to grab a library card. In one of my earlier issues, I discussed how excited I was to check out our local library. Since then, the Library of Virginia has become one of my favorite places to work remotely due to the space, outlets, and silence.
A close second favorite of mine is the Libbie Mill Library located within a new mixed-used development where it anchors a subdivision of townhomes, multiple apartment complexes, ground floor retail and soon come office space.
It’s mixed-used development like this that gets the idea of high-density areas in the county areas right. However, when you add in luxury apartments and high commercial rent, you’ve alienated the soul of the city while keeping the aesthetic. Mimicking downtown without the “noise” will never make these areas cool, but rather segregated.
This is where my weekend picks up. I took my wife and daughter to experience this behemoth of a library as it’s three times the size of the closest library to us. As we entered, it felt different than when I have visited alone to work in the past.
Seeing the activation of families crossing the street from rental units to visit the library meant families could have this amenity in their “backyard” at a much more attainable rate. I witnessed kids on toy tricycles on the track wrapped around the lake. A couple rocked aimleslly on the large swing. We sat in on one of the multiple readings for the children available on Saturdays, something my wife has to use her Tuesday lunch break to ensure my daughter attends at our library. A moment I’ve only had the joy of witnessing once on a day off.
I started to feel as if my family had to work twice as hard to experience such luxury and convenience of a public resource. It started to feel like a place where we weren’t welcomed.
Why aren’t libraries everywhere financially prioritized to be the anchors of our communities that they were designated to be? How do counties continue to deliver more polished results when everyone is supposedly moving back into the city? How can families of all backgrounds experience this in their own backyard?
To be continued, but until then leave a comment below.
👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
Express Route:
Straight to the point news in urbanism:
Charlotte Bus Drivers To Strike: Bus drivers vote to go on strike. (Charlotte Observer)
Three Huge Residential Projects To Look For In D.C.: Just when you thought large-scale development would slow down in the District, several projects take center stage in the new year. (Axios D.C)
Conversations Ramp Up on “3C&D” Line in S.W Ohio: Talks of additional stops in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland take place as the March deadline approaches. (Journal-News)
Crossword of the Week | Complete Streets
Last week I introduced my first crossword puzzle! While it didn't get much traction I believe in consistency before critiquing.
This week we focus on complete streets. I made it shorter until we get more traction.
As discussed last week, I am looking for a sponsor for this space so it can remain free hopefully by the end of January. If I’m unable to lock someone in they will only be available to paid subscribers.
If you or someone you know own a business that would like to sponsor this portion, please email me: barrygreene.jr@gmail.com.
Well, that’s it for this issue. Til next time, cut loose.
Interested in Sponsorship: email barrygreene.jr@gmail.com.
Counties have SO MUCH revenue, land, tax income, and are less encumbered by large segments of at-risk youth, adults, and seniors. Yes, RVA has density, architecture, and history but also a lot of segragation, gentrification, and nimbism. I was prepared to dazzle you with another outstanding library which I thought was in RVA, but I see it's also in Henrico, but not in a mixed use development: https://henricolibrary.org/fairfield At least it is closer to neighborhoods that can benefit from its clean, open spaces and great kids amenities.
We had to overcome a corrupt county planning director to get our library sited downtown. There were several analytical techniques we used to expose his attempts to manipulate the outcome (to place the library in the wealthiest census tract in town) that got both the County Commissioners and our town Council to overrule his recommendations. Details of how we fought back here: https://citybeautiful21.com/2013/03/19/a-little-more-time-and-a-little-more-communication-could-get-us-an-awesome-urban-library-that-works-for-everyone-in-southern-orange-county/