The Willow Glen Resident

Letters

Library's shelves seem thinly stocked

As a Willow Glen resident I have been a frequent patron of the Willow Glen branch of the San Jose Library. It is a delightful branch manned with excellent, friendly staff.

Over the last several months, I have noticed that the shelves have become more and more thinly stocked with books. Authors who have written a series of books often only have one or two representations of their work. Additional books have to be ordered from other branches of the library.

When I inquired about the diminishing numbers of books, it was explained to me that accessibility to disabled patrons was a concern, and that is why the books had been removed from the top shelves.

However, there are a number of bottom shelves with no books. The net result is definitely fewer books in the library.

The Willow Glen branch is one of the smallest in the system and has one of the highest utilization rates. Friends who read have told me that there have been efforts in the past to close the Willow Glen branch.

As the chair of a book group and teacher and avid reader, I hope that the trend I see at the Willow Glen branch is not part of a plan to close it down in deference to the downtown branches.

Patricia White
Glen Una Avenue

San Jose City Librarian Jane Light responded to White's concerns with the following letter.--Editor

No plans are afoot to shelve the library

Let me reassure you that we have no plans to close or in any way decrease the services of the Willow Glen Library.

In support of this statement I offer the following: in the past year the heating and air conditioning system was replaced, new carpet installed in the upper level and data lines upgraded to handle new and faster computers. In the coming year, additional building improvements and maintenance are planned, and I hope you and other patrons will find the Willow Glen Library an even more attractive and inviting facility.

I understand what an important community resource the Willow Glen Library is and have no plans to reduce, let alone eliminate, library service in Willow Glen.

The collection at the Willow Glen Library has grown by 2,976 items from January 1997 to January 1998. The decreasing numbers of books on the shelf are most likely the result of increasing usage. (This increase is not just confined to Willow Glen, but is occurring throughout the entire library system.)

Over the past year, circulation has grown 17 percent at Willow Glen and 51 percent since 1990-91.

The recent creation of the library's benefit assessment district has allowed the library to substantially increase its purchase of new materials, but the library's collection has suffered from years of heavy use and inadequate funding.

The Willow Glen library is fortunate to have an active Friends group that raises thousands of dollars annually to augment the collection at the Willow Glen Library. As a patron of the Willow Glen Library, you also have access to the entire collection of the San Jose Public Library through daily intra-library delivery of materials.

Ease of access for all users is the major reason why books have been shifted off of some of the upper and lower shelves. Books on shelves next to the floor and at the six-foot level are the most difficult to identify as well as reach, so staff shifts books from these shelves when the opportunity presents itself.

This is of particular importance in the large-print collection (heavily used at Willow Glen), so staff have expanded this area and permanently removed the bottom shelf in order to make these books more accessible to seniors.

Please feel free to contact me or the branch staff with any questions.

Jane Light
City librarian

Let's help the Glen grow, not stagnate

Stagnation or growth? Which do you prefer? I am part of a younger generation of Willow Glen. I have resided in Willow Glen for 12 years.

I had previously been active in and a huge supporter of the Willow Glen Beautification Program with my family. I am submitting my letter of opinion in response to all the bickering and petty articles being circulated: complaints about lawn mowers, leaf blowers, garbage trucks, etc.

Hey, people, you live in a big city, not a farm in Idaho. Be thankful there are no drive-by shootings or gang activity.

Let's take the negative comments and energy from these few people and turn them into positive energy. Furthermore, I am offended that a few people can place themselves on a pedestal, dictating which small businesses shall succeed or fail. Perhaps their energy could be put to use supporting a business's making Willow Glen its home, and contributing to that home. Not to mention that these new establishments bring to Willow Glen recognition, charm and a sense of community.

I have read with amusement and sympathy about Willow Glen Billiards and Brew. First of all, I am in support of their desire to stay open until 2 a.m. We are fortunate to have them. It is a great place to socialize with friends, eat dinner and play pool.

I don't see what the big fuss is all about. From firsthand experience, I know the employees are extremely courteous, energetic and fun to be around. Please be in support of Lincoln Avenue's new and old establishments.

Jamie Wrieden
Glen Dell Drive

'Rat Killer' should have found a more humane method

When I read the article "Diary of a Rat Killer," I was absolutely appalled. It made me not only sick, but very angry. It is so sad that there are people living in our neighborhoods who do these kind of things. They should be reported to animal services.

The thought of crushing a poor, innocent animal to its death is just repulsive to me. Did this idiot ever think of a more humane way to catch these animals? Like putting a piece of something sweet in a box and then releasing the animals to the Humane Society and letting them peacefully put the animal to sleep?

I have a rat (I'm 13), and I guess people don't understand that they really can be sweet if they aren't harassed. People who know my cute, fuzzy, tame rat all love her.

Katherine Tileston and Tabby
Larkspur Drive

Correction

In a March 4 news story about a Lincoln Avenue art gallery, a local artist's name was misspelled. Her name is Kerry Kittrell Foster.

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