SANTA CRUZ — As library leaders consider shifting their young adult collection from a small Westside branch to downtown’s flagship to help close a $1 million deficit, patrons are wondering if downtown is the safest place for kids and families to hang out.
“Last week I had to go downtown and my bike seat was stolen,” said Laura Young-Hinck, 38, who spends Monday afternoons at the Westside’s Garfield Park Library with her daughter Ruby, 3, and their Chihuahua, Amelia. At Garfield Park, “it feels a lot safer than the downtown library,” Young-Hinck said.
On May 11, members of the city-county library system’s Joint Powers Board will consider whether to move Garfield Park’s extensive young adult collection to the Central Branch on Church Street as part of a larger effort to save $1 million in the system’s $12 million budget. The genealogy collection, which is downtown and staffed by volunteers, would move to Garfield Park.
Santa Cruz Library Concerned About Kids Being Downtown April 28,
I am 100% concerned about bringing my children downtown. I am always getting harassed by people going in and out of the library. I also don’t feel safe in the library. Moving the children’s section is a wonderful idea.
Best Regards,
Nicole Taylor
Santa Cruz Resident