"If I have to choose between a statue and a librarian, I'm going to choose the librarian every time," said Pyle, speaking before a group of about 50 people at a public meeting held at the Vineland Branch Library on Feb. 3 to discuss public art works for the under-construction Almaden Branch Library. Pyle was referring to the fact that the city may be facing a budget shortfall of $60 million the coming year. If that happens, Pyle says she'll have no problem pulling back a $100,000 appropriation the new library was awarded in December by the city council.

The money, secured by former Councilwoman Pat Dando before she left office in December, is funded by District 10's Construction Tax and Conveyance Tax Fund. Dando wanted the money to be used for an art piece honoring Doris Dillon, for whom the reconstructed library's children's library will be named.

In meetings with the architect, Mark Schatz, of Field Paoli Architects, Dando, Gary Dillon--Doris Dillon's widower--and others discussed ideas of how to modify the children's area of the new library to include recognitions of Doris Dillon.

About $25,000 is earmarked for a new entry and signage for the children's library, and other changes that include the architectural fees for altering the footprint of the area, which included moving a fire extinguisher and shifting lighting to accommodate the requests.

Dando and Gary Dillon had suggested the remaining funds, about $75,000, be put toward a new piece of art for the library; one that would recognize Doris Dillon's contributions to the community as a teacher and a school librarian.

The Feb. 3 meeting was the first public meeting--which included community members, Pyle, members of the volunteer Public Arts Task Force committee, library officials, members of the Office of Cultural Affairs and Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services--to discuss the new art project.

It was not, however, the first meeting to discuss the art project, and the lack of communication between the parties about the initial meeting to discuss the art and other changes that caused some confusion.

Dando, who oversaw two parks projects--Jake's Play Lot and Jeffrey Fontana Park--be named for deceased community members during her 10-year tenure, said that holding the meeting with Schatz, Gary Dillon and others was following the same protocol she had engaged in with the other projects; namely meeting with family and friends of the person being honored.

But the meeting about Dillon's recognition at the library excluded the library's arts task force committee. The committee members say they first learned of the funding, the architectural modifications and the new art project at a meeting two weeks ago--about six weeks after the city council had approved the $100,000 appropriation. Following the public art process and as an advisory committee, the arts task force has been meeting for more than three years representing their community, discussing and guiding the design team on placement, style and scope of art that is slated for the new library and the adjoining community center.

It came as a shock to many members that money had been appropriated and new art was proposed. The suggestions that were brought to them by JenJoy Roybal, project manager, and Barbara Goldstein, program director for the Office of Cultural Affairs, on behalf of Dando and Dillon, were rejected by the committee and countered with suggestions of their own.

The group said it is not interested in utilizing the money for another sculpture, but would instead prefer to see the money used to buy books for the children's library, or furniture for the new adjacent community center when it opens. Goldstein and San Jose Public Library director Jane Light confirmed that funding has been made available to purchase furniture for Almaden Branch Library, but also suggested that if the available monies weren't depleted those funds could then transfer to another new branch.

Where the money will be spent is still undecided, but Pyle insisted that the public process will be followed and said she believes that should alleviate any further confusion about the project in the future. She also said she will be looking in to options for where the Construction Tax and Conveyance Tax Fund money would best be spent.

"Doris Dillon was an incredible role model, was incredibly courageous, and was well loved by all who knew her ... Despite the best of intentions, we must be extremely cautious to keep her name and memory free from controversy and confusion," Pyle later said in a statement.

"The $75,000 expenditure for yet another statue, however, is in excess of the '2 percent funds' already allocated for this project," she said. "As a fiscally responsible public representative and in light of the fact that the city is now facing $60 million in budget cuts, I must consider the impact of spending money for yet another statue using funds that are typically set aside for parks and recreation programs--programs that benefit our children, our residents, and our seniors."

Comments and questions should be directed to district10@sanjoseca.gov, or 408.277.5251.