LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Library gets input for new Mott branch

8/10/2014

I am writing to correct an inaccurate impression created by Toledo City Council member Larry Sykes in his comments after the approval by council of the construction of a Mott branch library in Smith Park (“City considers land for library; New Mott branch may go on 3 acres of Smith Park,” July 23).

Mr. Sykes said he wanted to see more community input. The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library system always seeks public input in open public meetings when it renovates an existing library or designs a new library.

To make sure it understood the needs of the community, the library took the unprecedented step of conducting one-to-one and small group meetings with 30 community members who were selected for their knowledge of issues facing the Mott community. They included elected officials, principals of area schools, several prominent clergy, leaders of social service agencies, and neighborhood residents.

The insights obtained through these conversations, along with the library’s proposed responses to them, will be shared with the public in open meetings in late 2015 or early 2016 as part of the planning process for the new Mott.

GEORGE TUCKER

Chairman Finance/Audit Committee Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Michigan Street