The Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore has hired private library consultant Ronald Dubberly to assess the system’s facilities and services. But his hiring is causing concern among community activists, who unsuccessfully fought the closure of five branches in summer 2001. “It’s crucial to plan when there’s not a crisis,” EPFL Director and American Library Association President-elect Carla D. Hayden explained November 18 at the first of four forums held to receive citizen input, noting that plans are proceeding to build a new regional library—the 21-branch system’s first new facility since 1971.
“My fear is that they’re going to close libraries,” community leader Nina Harper nonetheless told Dubberly. “I anticipate that all [branches] will be needed,” Dubberly replied. Hayden, who was also present, commented: “We did not want to close branches when we had to, and we don’t expect to close any, provided the fiscal situation stays stable.”
However, members of the grassroots group ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) remain unconvinced. Some two dozen stormed the November 21 forum waving “Save Our Libraries” placards; ACORN Chairman Willie Ray gave officials an ironic report card that included several Fs and only one A+, for “closing branches in low-income neighborhoods.” Hayden remarked that she hoped ACORN’s message “gets to people who can affect our funding.”
Posted November 25, 2002.