Cherrydale Branch Library

Serving North Arlington since 1922

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Candidates Favola and Tate Discuss Cherrydale Library

On October 19, 2000, the Citizens for Cherrydale Library (CCL), through neighborhood volunteers Greg and Suzanne Embree, asked the Democratic and Republican candidates for County Board (Barbara Favola and Scott Tate, respectively) three questions affecting the future of Cherrydale Library. The CCL asked each candidate the same three questions and asked that they respond by October 26. The CCL promised to post each candidate's answers on the Cherrydale Library web site and to mail them to the 600-plus citizens who signed the petition during February-April 1998 to keep Cherrydale Library open. The candidates' answers follow.

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Ms. Favola's Responses:

1. Do you support maintaining the current funding level of the Arlington County Department of Libraries?

At a minimum, I support maintaining the current level of funding for the Arlington County Department of Libraries. In this last budget cycle, I voted to support funding for a cyber link center at the Columbia Pike branch. This center provides public access to computers and the Internet. Volunteers are available to help train individuals in computer skills. I will continue to support programs like this. Moreover over the last two budget cycles, dollars were added to the Department of Libraries to enhance the County's web page and to create a directory of Youth Services. This directory was something I had championed with the Partnership on Children, Youth and Families.

2. What are your views on concentrating the County's library system in a smaller number of locations as opposed to maintaining the network of neighborhood libraries?

I enjoy and appreciate the County's neighborhood libraries. These libraries serve as gathering places for neighbors. They are also safe and manageable places for young children to use. As a parent and user of the Cherrydale Library, I completely understand why people are passionate about keeping this service in their neighborhood. When we lived near the Cherrydale Library, my son used to walk to the library to participate in the Children's Reading Program, much to my delight. The Cherrydale Library is truly a jewel and I am committed to keeping it open.

3. As a member of the County Board, will you seek to close the Cherrydale Library?

I will not support closing the Cherrydale Library. When the vote was before me two years ago, I strongly advocated keeping the Cherrydale Library open and I would do so again.

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Mr. Tate's Responses:

1. Do you support maintaining the current funding level of the Arlington County Department of Libraries?

As an avid user of the library system in Arlington, I do support maintaining the current funding level of the Arlington County Department of Libraries.

2. What are your views on concentrating the County's library system in a smaller number of locations as opposed to maintaining the network of neighborhood libraries?

Neighborhood libraries serve the wonderful purpose of making it easy and convenient to enjoy the benefits of the library. For those with families, the ease of driving or walking to a nearby neighborhood library makes sharing reading with your children an even more enjoyable experience. I would oppose any efforts to consolidate the library system into a smaller number of locations.

3. As a member of the County Board, will you seek to close Cherrydale Library?

I will most definitely not seek to close the Cherrydale Library.



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This site is maintained by Citizens for Cherrydale Library, a group of citizen volunteers seeking since 1998 to promote and preserve our most important neighborhood institution. Contact us at suza1@comcast.net with any questions or comments.