Letters to the Editor - Dont let Webber Library die - Don’t let Webber Library die

    At a recent neighborhood celebration, I spoke with our Council Member Barb Johnson about Webber Park Library (WPL). She said we need to see how much use Webber Park Library gets when North Regional reopens because Webber’s book circulation is very low. I contacted new Library Board member Alan Hooker about this and he is concerned too. With the new Hennepin County Library in Brooklyn Center and the renovated North Regional Library reopening, many people want to see the impact on WPL. The renovation that we were promised, and that got pushed behind North Regional Library’s, has a good chance of not happening.

    I find this most discouraging. Webber needs more community visibility and distinction. The Library’s hours have been cut so many people who might normally use WPL aren’t sure when it’s open or can’t make it in the hours offered. They are willing to wait out the downswing, but they really want to use WPL and want to see it expanded with a larger collection and more services.

    There are always people in the library when I go there. It’s very busy during after-school hours, so while circulation may not be high WPL, it’s an important part of our community. This is not a wealthy community and many families don’t have a car or convenient transportation to get to North Regional or Brooklyn Center. WPL provides a vital service to these people.

    I have the impression that WPL is being allowed to die by attrition. Starve it of hours and resources and, yes, people will not use it, but that will do our community a great disservice.

Anne Peiffer