Years ago, I taught in Manlius NY, where the local public library was within the middle school building. It was open during school to students and the community, and accessible after school hours via an exterior door which kept the school facilities separate. It was well-used by all, providing valuable intergenerational use and contact, and dispensing with duplication of staff and volunteers, equipment and materials. Saved money all around, as I recall, and made a lot of people happy with increased space, collection and facilities.
When I came here, both the school and the library were in the midst of building. I suggested that perhaps a similar situation might be applicable here. Each went on to build their own edifice — within spitting distance of each other. But it allowed purse strings (and power) to be controlled by their entities.
Money has such interesting stories to tell, as does power.
Bea vonTobel
