Opinion Talk

By Chris

July 18, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

The downtown library is an ugly eyesore that should be razed and never spoke of again. A new, classical building should be built, one that respects the value of knowledge and reading. A new facility with windows to let the natural world in, maybe even a grand skylight. The current structure is bland and lacks enthusiasm. Destroy it I say and build a new one!

By Fred

July 18, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

There’s a library downtown?

By Michele

July 18, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

I’m a lover of GOOD modernist architecture, but the main library is not an example of it, no matter who designed the thing. It’s a dark, depressing structure that might make a good museum (where the focus is on wall hangings), but it makes a terrible place for community interaction and learning.

We need a new library. Period. The old one cannot be renovated enough to provide the world class library Atlanta needs. It needs windows, open spaces, and added security.

By Mrs. Godzilla

July 18, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Here’s a link,Atlanta,_Georgia) to the library building.

Any body know why it took 11 years to complete?

Restoration would seem the right thing to do.

By Chris

July 18, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

I moved downtown in 2004. At that time, the library main branch steps and the corner of Forsyth and Williams St. were torn up for renovation. They finished that work in 2007. When weighing new construction (presumably run by a construction company) vs. city-supervised renovation, you have to factor in the incredible sloth and lack of oversight on city projects. Plus, a new building overlooking Centennial Park would become part of the community and would be used by a lot more people than the current building, which is tucked away in a dirty pocket of downtown. Three blocks and the light of day would make a huge difference.

By TomL

July 18, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

There are a number of reasons why this is a waste of effort.

By Do the Math

July 18, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Why does a library need to have world class architecture?

Build a new world class symphony hall first, then we’ll talk.

By Do the Math

July 18, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Why does a library need to have world class architecture?

Build a new world class symphony hall first, then we’ll talk.

By Do the Math

July 18, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Why does a library need to have world class architecture?

Build a new world class symphony hall first, then we’ll talk.

By Butt Geyser

July 18, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

The import of the article is that architecture itself influences attitudes and performance. The cooler the building looks, the cooler the people will act in and around it. Thus a cathedral stupifies and obligates. A formal facia on a bank building instills confidence and surety. The wild gryo-lit facia of a vegas strip club ensures foolishness.

That’s just a theory, but maybe a library building needs a signature that promotes socio-cultural intercourse. (No, wait, that’s a vegas strip club again).

By Fix-It

July 18, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

If we fire all the firemen and cops then we would have the money to rebuild. Sounds good to me.

By midtownblue

July 18, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

If the present library building were to become vacant, this might be a prime opportunity for relocation of Georgia State’s School of Music. Faculty and students have long complained about the present crowded, very un-artistic spaces — mostly renovated law office buildings one block away from the library building. Might this be an answer? What do you think?

By Michele

July 18, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

TomL- not true. Anyone can apply for an Atlanta/Fulton library card and pay $25 per year for borrowing privileges. (That is about the same cost to buy one hardback book.) That is a great option for those of us working inside Atlanta.

And for those worried about the costs, libraries pay for themselves when you consider all the services they provide (education, computer access, job and tax info, etc.)

By Logical Dude

July 18, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

midtownblue:

That is a very creative use for the structure.

Build a new library and convert the old one for use by the school!

I always thought that the location and shape of the library was a bit odd, but have never been inside.

By Fix-It

July 18, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Hey Michele, if they pay for themselves then why do we need to give 40 million dollars to rebuild it?

By Just Nasty and Mean

July 18, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

All this hype for a new library comes from the esteemed Rob Pitts who has’;t had an original idea on how to cut costs or eliminate taxes in his entire life.

The Fulton County commissioners have screwed their constituents to the point the vast majority have done everything they can to get as far away from these tax and spend buffoons as possible.

These commissioner-morons don’t understand their constituents don’t want them to do ANYTHING—ESPECIALLY spend money and take on more debt. Why doesn’t the commission start shrinking the size of their government and lowering their baseline costs since their responsibilities are a mere fraction of it’s former self.

Fulton County—-Please, just shut up and get out of the way!

The commission is proposing a library in an attempt to make themselves relevant, important and have something of significance to their egos.

This unneeded library project will turn out like ALL THE OTHER Fulton County projects—a disastrous concentrated cluster of incompetence and complete bureaucratic stupidity mixed with raw ignorance combined with a massive waste of taxpayer money.

We don’t need another library! We don’t use the one we have now!! you bumbling bozos!

By Michele

July 18, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Hey Fix-It. If you don’t understand how helping people find jobs, do their taxes, and educate themselves contributes to the economy, then I can’t help you.

Just Nasty and Mean: I hear that line of bunk ALL the time- “no one uses the library”. Admit it, you don’t KNOW who is or isn’t using the library because YOU are not there. There are so many folks at my local library it’s difficult to find parking and I still hear some of my neighbors saying “no one goes”.

By Fix-It

July 18, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Michele, if you can’t understand that it takes money to complete a building then you are beyond help. You must be a dumbacrat!

By Just Nasty and Mean

July 18, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

To Michele @ 12:56

If people are using the existing one, then why do we need a new one?

On the contrary, my kids and I use a library all the time—so that also makes you an assumptive liar. Having a parking problem at the library is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than building a whole new one.

It’s clear to all. You are one of the dumb masses.

By KnowItAll

July 18, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Michele:

So now your telling us—not only do you want taxpayers to provide you with discounted entertainment, but you also want them ensure you have readily available free parking!

Can’t you see your mindset? You are a socialists! Go to Norway or Sweden, where the taxes are 80%, and you can read and park all you want at someone else’s expense.

Get your own friggin books and get your own parking spot! It is not up to me to provide you or any other mooch ANYTHING!

By Michele

July 18, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

FI, I’m an independent, but BOY are the republicans doing a GREAT job with the economy in general and fiscal responsibility specifically. So much better than the balanced budget under the previous administration.

Nasty, You’re seriously asking why new buildings are necessary (for ANY business or entity) and calling ME dumb? Funny! In case you haven’t noticed, with the advent of the internet libraries have changed MUCH over the last twenty years, as have the needs of library users. Ideas about good architecture have also changed. Back in the 70s it was believed that windows were “distractions” to learning and thinking, which turned out to be absolutely false.

Both you neocons need serious help. Your “logic” is faulty and your ideas are tired.

By Michele

July 18, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

KnowItAll: So, Ben Franklin was a socialist? Thomas Jefferson, too? Interesting that two of the most important founders of this great nation were champions of libraries and when I do it you accuse me of being anti-American.

You could use some book-learnin’. Get thee to the library!

By Fred

July 18, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

It’s been a few years, but I do remember going into a big, blocky building downtown with lots of half-empty shelves and homeless people sleeping on the couches… is that the library?

And heeeyyy… isn’t that the same place where the county got sued (and lost) for deliberately firing all the white people?

By Chaz

July 18, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

It’s not that libraries are bad, not at all. It’s just that Fulton County has no idea how to run one. Just like most things they do.

By KnowItAll

July 18, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Michele:

Well, you have proved your ignorance!

Thomas Jefferson started the University of Virginia with the rotunda library, he designed, architected and directed from Montecello. He build the library and started the university with his own money and volunteer contributions from friends. NO TAXPAYER FUNDS WERE USED!

So stop billowing your bilge as truth, when you clearly don’t know what in hell you are talking about.

Get your own books and parking spot and quit sucking off me (unless, of course, I can direct where and what you suck).

By Michele

July 18, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Ooh, classy KnowItAll. Nice true colors you have. Thanks for that.

You forgot good old Ben. :) What did you find out about his library?

I would rather my tax dollars go to education and books than the extra police and prisons we need without them.

By wsj

July 18, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

The downtown library is a dump both inside and out. I think the idea of building a new and hopefully better designed library around Centennial Park is a good idea. Have the same people supervising the Centennial Park area cover the library as well to prevent it getting run down.

I also think the idea of turning it over to GSU for its music school is a brilliant idea. They probably could use a building that cavernous.

By KnowItAll

July 18, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Michele

My true colors are with FREEDOM and SELF RELIANCE. My colors do not require that I suck off of others. If you want to suck off of others, then the providers should decide when and where you suck—NOT FULTON COUNTY!! NOT YOU!!

I know about the UVA library because I have been there, toured Montecello and learned on my own at my own expense. If you ‘d get to the library occasionally, you’ll learn how our forefathers believed in capitalism and freedom to pursue personal happiness. My happiness does not include supporting others (socialist) in their pursuit of happiness that want my assets taken from me at the force of a gun by the very government I support!

So, what do you know about Ben’s library? My suspicion is you pulled this out of your A55 to make a point, and you have NO FACTS to back it up. Right?

We have dozens of libraries in Atlanta. Why is our crime rate such that it is?

Please provide specific statistical (not emotional mumbo jumbo socialists are known for) backup to your irrational statement that there is a correlation between lack of education and extra police and prisons.

There’s your next library project, Michele. Do it on your own nickel or just shut up. Either way, I don’t give a damn. Just don’t ask me to pay for it.

By Lynne

July 18, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

For those who might have missed the article in today’s AJC…Progress in preservation, click on the website below to see what the buyer of my house wrote. LM

By Jeff

July 18, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Knowitall, it must really rile you up to know that you’ve been helping fund public libraries (or, by your definition, socialism) ever since the first time you payed taxes and will continue to fund them for the rest of your life.

I wish you could see the smile your pathetic anger puts on my face.

By Bookworm

July 18, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Librarians get $25 million in reverse discrimination case against Fulton

read more

$25 million would’ve covered a lot of renovations.

By demwit

July 18, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Maybe Atlanta should teach it’s children to read before spending more money on libraries..