TLHCA

County Proposes to Close Westover Library on July 1

Included in the County’s FY 2010 Proposed Budget Service Reductions is a proposal to close Westover Library for 3 months beginning in July 2009 to generate one-time savings to offset opening costs of the new facility that opens in October.   The TLHCA board has taken a position to urge the Arlington County Board to consider keeping the library open through Labor Day weekend.

According to the Library’s own statistics, Westover is among the libraries with the highest usage rates across the County, particularly in the area of youth services.  Closing the library during the summer, when school is out, is therefore a particular hardship.  The library’s role in the community cannot be exaggerated: as a resource for seniors, adults, and families; for children of all ages; as a “safe place” for summer activities; and through its Summer Reading and other educational programming, as a means of supporting and furthering children’s reading prowess.  In a summer where financial difficulties may cause families to cut back on summer camp expenses (as the County also is proposing), the availability and accessibility of the Library is even more essential.  See letter to the Arlington County Board.

To submit your opinion to the county board, follow this link.