The sign on the door gives the times the downtown Albany Public Library is usually open.
The Albany Public Library has expanded the times when it is open, but unfortunately this is not the case at the downtown branch.
Why “unfortunately”? Because the historic Carnegie branch downtown is the one that’s most convenient to me. It houses the Sanborn maps useful for historical research, and going there doesn’t require joining all the traffic to, from and through the commercial center of southeast Albany.
For a while now, the Carnegie Library has been open only 16 hours a week, spread over four days. One day last month, on a Thursday when it was supposed to be open, it was closed instead for staff “inservice.”
(“Inservice” seems like weird term when applied to libraries because for the public it means not “in service” but “out of service.” The staff has to do something else, usually “training.”)
The expanded hours the library announced were added at the main branch as of March 1. There, patrons can now get in between 10 and 6 on Thursdays and Fridays, and between 11 and 5 on Saturdays.
Other hours at the main library remain unchanged: 10-7 on Tuesdays and 10-6 on Wednesdays.
I asked why they didn’t expand the hours downtown as well.
“Long story short,” Library Director Eric Ikenouye replied, “it is a combination of staffing and demand.”
“The demand for more hours at the Main Library has been very high, and we just added staff to cover some of that demand,” he added. “We will keep working toward adding more hours.”
Demand is a good reason for being open longer. So if you want more hours at the downtown branch, go there more often and cause an increase in demand. (hh)
When you go to the library and find it closed when it’s supposed to be open.
The simpler, more efficient solution is close the downtown library, move all applicable materials to the Main library. To make the City employee’s union whole, transfer downtown Librarians to the Main building and expand that facility’s hours to meet what is certain to be a new, crushing demand on services.
The Main library is a mere 2.3 miles from the downtown edifice. Given this insignificant geographical separation, it is easy to conclude that a smallish community such as Our Fair City may be overbuilt when it comes to libraries. Allow CARA to commandeer and condemn the Carnegie facility. CARA can then sell it to Lepman Properties and a lengthy, tedious remodel will ensue, taking decades before completion.
Do what Niles, Michigan did in 2022 with their main street Carnegie Library.
They sold it for $100 to a private couple.
It was then developed into a comedy club and speakeasy lounge. The expected tax increment is huge.
Where is CARA when Albany needs it?
Those two words, CARA and Lepman (CARA being an acronym for Central Albany Revitalization Agency) are very, let’s say “cozy” words. Yes, Hartman, Lepman Properties have oft been the recipient of CARA funds over the years.
Yes, the Lepman Co. has followed the exact same rules available for anyone, has successfully applied for, and completed multiple projects over the years. Albany is much the better for them having done so.
These are not constructive comments.Rather provide solutions than sarcasm, thanks.
Solutions? I see several that were proposed by the comments. Open your eyes, khs.
100+ year old philanthropy by rich a steel magnate worked for a generation or two.
But now these dinosaurs are underutilized. And the cost to repair, maintain, and upgrade is a taxpayer nightmare.
It’s much more effective, and efficient, to invest in Albany’s modern Main Library. It’s the responsible thing to do with finite taxpayer dollars.
Toast the Carnegie Library for what it once was and what it contributed to Albany.
Then move forward into a better future. It’s called progress.
The Carnegie Library is a rare treasure. Let’s work to keep the history of Albany. It does not deserve to be a speakeasy. “Only eleven of the thirty-one Carnegie libraries built in Oregon are still being used as public libraries. Several have been torn down, and many are being used for other community purposes. In addition to two Multnomah County Library branches, the Carnegie libraries still in use are in Albany, Ashland, Enterprise, Hood River, McMinnville, Newberg, Oregon City, Union, and Woodburn. Most have had extensive renovations and additions. The Carnegie libraries in Albany (now a branch library), Enterprise, and Union have had the least alteration.”
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,
And without sneering, teach the rest to sneer;
Willing to wound, and afraid to strike,
Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
Alexander Pope
We are incredibly fortunate to have two libraries here in Albany. The Carnegie Library is a very valuable asset to Albany’s past and to the future of our great community and it would be very sad to even think about losing it. This community is also so blessed by the many donors, past and present, that see our libraries as a vital part of keeping our city great. I would really hate to lose either one, especially under the guise of progress. Thank you to all who support them.