Cherrydale Branch Library

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Mr. Ferguson's Responses:

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

In the eight budgets I have voted on (1996-2003), I have always supported full funding for 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?

Arlington's neighborhood libraries are one of the many things that make our neighborhoods attractive places to live. Being able to walk to a library or have a close drive without traffic is important. In 1997, I told the County Manager that closing the Cherrydale library was something I would never support. I believe that current County Board Members have no desire to ever put Cherrydale library on the discussion list for closing again. My parents often take my two boys to their neighborhood library, Glencarlyn. I will always support these neighborhood libraries.

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

For the reasons outlined in my answer to question 2, I will always support keeping Cherrydale library open. It is an important part of the surrounding neighborhoods. Having libraries within walking distance or a close drive is an important part of the Urban Village concept that the County Board champions. The Cherrydale library also provides many important activities for children.

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Mr. Kelsey's Responses:

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

I support maintaining, building, and strengthening our library system. Libraries are not a convenience, they are a necessary tool of learning and knowledge essential to the education and culture of a community. As such, the library system enjoys my support and my commitment to ensure that it is strong and vital. The question, as posed, is fraught with ambiguities. Maintaining current funding would, over the long-term, actually be a reduction. In addition, one presupposes by the question that services cannot be equal or better with better efficiency. Accordingly, it is tough to give a simple answer to such a broad question. However, consistent with the principles I have outlined above, the County Library system enjoys my total support, and I will work to keep it healthy.

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?

There is no reason to turn our libraries into Home Depots. While a strong library system will have world-class facilities and a strong central library, I do believe that small neighborhood libraries are consistent with the flavor and history of Arlington. I also believe that neighbors and neighborhoods thrive by having a neighborhood library with its own local focus, where parents and children can easily walk or ride to the library and where quiet reflection and exploration are still possible.

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

The question begs the answer -- no. I have not, however, seen any of the reasons or rationale to close the library. My first instinct is to say no, because, as I have said above, I believe and support neighborhood libraries. If it is demonstrated that the library is never or rarely used, that it is in disrepair and disfavor, it would warrant review. That is the responsibility of the Board. But, in a County that dreams up spending 3 million dollars for sewer plant art, I think we can find the resources to secure and safeguard this library. I have no plans to seek its closure, and I cannot imagine that I would find a compelling reason to do so.

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Ms. Summerville's Responses:

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

Yes, I do support maintaining the current funding level for our libraries. Net tax support for the 2004 budget is $10.6M, which is up 5% over last year's budget. While reduced funding in revenue from the state level has contributed to the 5% growth in the '04 budget, overall, the major factor driving this increase is personnel cost from annual step increases, etc. Therefore, the current level of funding growth is modest and acceptable.

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?

The urbanization of Arlington will require neighborhood libraries, as more residents will want to be able to walk to the library. The County has not indicated that they are going to provide huge parking lots if they centralize library services -- in fact quite the opposite, they appear to be downsizing all parking. In addition to providing reading and audio-visual materials, libraries provide meeting rooms and places for the community to gather. High-rises are building their own community rooms. Neighborhoods need more, not fewer, community-based buildings.

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

No. The Cherrydale Library is also a community focal point and a place for children to access the library system. Forcing young children to travel to the Central Library is not an option.

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Mr. Tejada's Responses:

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

I believe that libraries are an essential part of our community. For many Arlingtonians, especially children, they are a critical place to learn. Together with our schools, libraries are a basic educational resource for neighborhood residents. Therefore, we must ensure that we protect library services.

At the State level, irresponsible budgeting in previous years has now resulted in cuts to state support for our libraries. The County must continue to make up this shortfall. Since being elected, I have voted to ensure that we budget in a fiscally responsible manner at the County level so that we do not repeat the State's mistakes and can maintain full support for essential services like libraries.

The County's FY 2004 budget, which I voted for, contained an increase in library funds. Community support for libraries is high! While I am always on the lookout for ways to make our government more efficient, I am not willing to do so at the expense of essential County services like libraries. Therefore, I will likely continue to support strong funding of our library system.

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?

As I pledged when I was first elected by the voters in March, I continue to support maintaining the network of neighborhood libraries. From the start of my campaign, I have stated that preserving the character of existing neighborhoods is a central goal of mine.

Local libraries are unquestionably part of neighborhood character. Neighborhood branches also make sense from a user's standpoint. Their manageable size is less intimidating and creates a more welcoming environment. A neighborhood librarian is more likely to get to know individual patrons and be able to help them find reading material or give them reference help. Neighborhood libraries are close to home and, because of their size, are usually easier for residents to use. They are especially valuable for children, teenagers and others who can't drive.

Even for the rest of us, having many convenient neighborhood library locations encourages walking and helps keep us out of our cars.

With a strong inter-library loan program and with increased use of virtual library (including e-books and electronic information databases for homework, business and education) we can make our neighborhood libraries even stronger.

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

Absolutely not. The library provides essential services and it is a part of Cherrydale's neighborhood character. It should remain open.