For a city of Evanston's geographic and population size, and traffic density, a main branch with three neighborhood branches, possibly with some additional strategically-located kiosks, book walls, or drop points, seems right-sized. The marginal cost of a branch is small relative to overall cost because the system and management infrastructure is already in place; that's why banks, stores, restaurants etc. open branches, you reach more customers while reducing average cost. Fuel costs and time pressures will continue in the future to drive a premium on more localized access to amenities, including government services. And neighborhood libraries serve as connection points that build community. For all these reasons and more, maintaining the existing branches while finding a way to improve access for west and southwest Evanston is the smart path, and one consistent with Evanston's values.

Jeff - nice to see you here, where we are blessedly free of anonymous postings!

I think the council decision to put the issue under the library board makes sense - they are proponents of the library system as a whole and now have to allocate a given amount of money as best they can.

Having visited the north branch many times, it seems to me the primary purpose is the storytelling that goes on with small children. The selection of books for browsing is quite limited and such things as walk-in newspaper and magazine reading are hardly essential. As for the kids, I've never seen any statistics on how many children participate. Could it be as many as 100? I'd guess it is less than that but I don't know.

It seems to me that the priority for any library system is to provide essential services. Recently I went to the main library to find an old issue of a magazine - from 1979, I believe it was. I was astonished when a librarian told me that the stacks had recently been cleaned out and there were no issues of any magazine more than two year old. While it is true that some magazines have put their archives online, many have not.

This is a loss to all Evanstonians of a valuable resource expected of libraries. No Evanstonian will be able to get these magazines at our library making the ease of getting downtown moot. I don't know how you would define "Evanston's values" but this instance is a concrete loss of library value that any community would understand.

And it's great to see both of you commenting! Our goal is to be as transparent as possible and require real names, which maintains a community feel and keeps out the trolls/spammers :)

I just walked by the South Branch a few hours ago and there was ONE person in there (aside from staff). This was at 4pm in the afternoon.

The place is a dump and really has a limited collection. The library system is better off with it closed.

The South Branch library, and its staff, are the best thing about living in SE Evanston! I have been going there, usually walking, for many years. All 3 of my children did storytime, craft sessions and other events there. (I imagine most folks walk there which may explain why only ONE person was there today at 4pm in the thunderstorm) It is a 2nd home to many older residents, families without computers and kids who need a place to do homework after school, among many other folks who read the paper, use the computers or other resources. The limited collection is limited due to its size, but I have never wanted for a book or dvd or anything else as the lovely staff will get right on their computer and order whatever I need in a moments notice. It is far from a dump as there are lovely quilts displayed, origami pieces all around and many windows to gaze out when you are sitting comfortably reading! It breaks my heart to think my favorite place to spend time will soon be gone. What can we do??

Once I was in the South Branch, when no patrons were there. I go almost every week, and generally the place is full. There are people waiting to use the computers, using the internet, parents helping their kids with homework, little kids looking at books, adults checking out and returning books.

The branch libraries are an especially valuable resource for children. I don't think my children would have had a tenth of the books read to them, if the South Branch wasn't there. Children go through a lot of books quickly. The space at the South Branch is ideal for them. They look at books! The Main Library is too big and overwhelming.

Yes, the space could be better, and the selection is limited, but at least one has access to the internet and books, and can return the books, without driving and parking in downtown Evanston. I find it ironic that Evanston still wants to call itself a "green community". To me part of what makes a "green community" is having an infrastructure that lends itself to having people walk, bike and use public transportation. The South Branch is the only branch that has reasonably accessible by bus, Metra, and "el". Plus it is in one of the denser neighborhoods, thus accessible by walking for a large number of people.

It's great to have a library that is well stocked, but for me it is more important to have convenient access to a library, and a library that is really part of the community and supports its needs.