Contrary to an April 4 Associated Press report, the Marin County (Calif.) Free Library central branch in San Rafael is not in danger of closing to offset a $1.4-million deficit in the library’s FY 2000 budget. County Librarian Carol Starr told American Libraries that closing the landmark domed library—the top part of the county’s Civic Center building and the last major project of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who died before its completion in 1962—was only one of about six options: “As it stands now, no matter what the solution, we won’t be closing the Civic Center library.”
Starr is working closely with county officials to explore such alternative measures as budget cuts for all the branches, a special allotment from the general fund, or a tax election to raise the funds over the next two years. A report will be presented to county supervisors at the end of April.
Posted April 12, 1999.