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The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br /> 2. Public Comments <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Carrboro Alderperson Joal Hall Broun said that she is here to ask the County <br /> Commissioners to keep all of the libraries open, especially the McDougle Library and the <br /> Cybrary. She said that libraries are a place to increase literacy, and the Carrboro Board of <br /> Aldermen will be coming back to the County Commissioners with a letter in support of keeping <br /> this library open. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger arrived at 7:09 PM. <br /> Martha Tyson read a prepared statement. <br /> "I am a member of The Friends of the Carrboro Branch Library. We are here tonight to <br /> protest the recommendation made to you last Thursday by the County Manager that the Carrboro <br /> Branch Library, at a savings of $37,000 and the Cedar Grove Branch Library, at a savings of <br /> $17,243 be closed as a means of saving money. Do you mean to say that closing two libraries <br /> which have served over two entirely separate communities, one having done so for 14 years, for <br /> a total of less than $55,000 is a savings? How does that continue to help people enrich their <br /> lives, to educate them? <br /> As I look at you I see only three members who are informed as to our past years of work. <br /> Over the past two decades, (actually 23 years next September) we have diligently worked toward <br /> procuring a centrally located, full service library in downtown Carrboro. Our aim was to better <br /> serve those persons living in the southwestern part of the County. <br /> Sometimes a single picture can illustrate something better than a thousand words. I <br /> would hope you are already familiar with the map of Orange County's population prepared by the <br /> Orange County Planning and Inspections Department. <br /> The dense area in the center of the map shows Hillsborough where the main County <br /> library is located. By all rights it should be located in the County seat. The area in the <br /> southwestern part of the map including some of the densest area in the lower right hand corner <br /> are the people we can only serve 26 hours a week because of our location in a school. To get <br /> even this much service has required heroic work on the part of the people present here tonight <br /> and others who could not make it. <br /> Last Wednesday night, if you had completed filing your income taxes, you might have <br /> seen the outstanding report on libraries presented by North Carolina Now, the Public TV Station <br /> program. I have ordered a copy of that segment and anyone wishing to see it I will be glad to <br /> share it with them. In essence, it was a discussion of the important role libraries play in the lives <br /> of all people during economic hard times. It is a quiet place to which to retreat, a repository of <br /> stories which can improve and enrich our lives and our own personal stories, it costs nothing, it's <br /> free, as is the use of the computers, the surroundings are attractive, neat and orderly, the art <br /> show on display educational. Merely by asking at the library circulation desk, a library card <br /> costing nothing is issued in your name. it is the most valuable card you will ever carry in your <br /> wallet or purse. <br /> The library is indeed the heart and soul of a community. Let us be wise enough to <br /> preserve what we have accomplished and to one day have a full heart and soul for Carrboro and <br /> Cedar Grove." <br /> Nerys Levy read a prepared statement. <br /> "My name is Nerys Levy. I am a member of the 2000, 2004, and 2007 County Library <br /> Task Forces. I am also a Friend of the Carrboro Branch Library and, as a working artist, run the <br /> Library Arts Program there. <br />