The builders want a busy downtown, parking, condos and amenities to attract new residents. Put your money where your mouth is and build the arts center yourself. The underutilized library is trying to expand their mission. Why don’t they just cut staff to meet the new reality. We all do research online, and read newspapers and books online.
They need to scale back. What percent of residents actually use their tutoring/classes/clubs! Where do they find parking, after all the “reserved for staff” spots there are few for patrons.
The proposed high density housing is not meant for empty nesters. They want city-like amenities for city folks who already know what it is like to live in cramped quarters.
Until all the other Ridgewood problems are solved (Habernickle, high density housing, garage and most of all,Valley!) I can’t see the Village spending one cent on the library. It is already huge for a town this size and it has an auditorium that it rents out. (Check into how often it is rented and that will show you a need for maybe something extra on Sundays when they entertain but it is certainly not being put to daily usage. Why would one think the Arts Center would be any busier?
Parking would be impossible and any claims that it would be funded privately and self-sustaining are absurd. JUST NO. Too many self-aggrandizing projects that the town truly does not need AND WOULD SUFFER FROM. How about when frustrated patrons hastening to their seats park at Kings and run across Maple? Unfair to them, unfair to Kings, accidents waiting to happen.
“Ridgewood library is trying to expand their mission” Wy don’t we call it what it is a power grab.
Why is the library planning another renovation?
Because they can 3:39. That is where all the power is. just look at the members of the Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Library. Its the who’s who of Ridgewood. We common folks don’t stand a chance with these people.
Every time, and I do mean EVERY time I look for a book at the library they do not have it. It has to come on interlibrary loan from another library in Bergen County. There are fewer and fewer books there. Sad.
Yep, anti-development majority even hates the library because of who donates to it…
The Library and their excellent staff do a great job.I am there every week.
They actually listen and try to make things happen to meet a need of a student or a town resident reading and research needs,They deal with all ages and personality types professionally Esp the disabled elderly and
Young readers,I am a Fan.lets bring some of that positive attitude across the plaza to town hall departments .
How many residents go,to the library? Do not count the same people twice.
I bet that there are a few residents who go to the library weekly. There are a lot of residents who do not go at all. Most resident probably do not even go,once a month. They need a utilization Review.
There are probably story time regulars who disappear when the kids go to elementary school.
Stay with the books and stay out of the performing arts business
7:36 that what the library staff get paid to do.
how much money is spent on the library every year?
How many residents go to Graydon? Or Schedler?
Check the total budget for the Library and what is spent at Graydon or Schedler . The Library is over the top.
I love the library. With all the money spent on sports facilities we cant support a decent library? Libraries have never been bustling hives of activity, even before the internet. But many people see value in a quiet place to read and think once in a while. Having said that, its only 20 years old. Let it be–we can revisit in another 20 years.
I live in another town but work in Ridgewood. I used to be able to rent movies from there or check out a book. Then they did away with that so I no longer go. I had asked if since I work in town if I could get a card but they said no to that also. Guess they are really busy..
Agree completely @ 3:43…love it, use it but think it is ok as is. What it needs is more parking;)