Week 8: News Article - Valerie

Support Grows to Save Lewis & Clark Library by Chris Naffziger

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/03/lewis_clark_library_architecture.php

This article talks about how the St. Louis County Public Library wants to demolish the Lewis & Clark branch just because the appearance is not attuned to today’s society expectations and is “structurally unsound”.  In a protest against destruction of the Lewis & Clark branch, residents and architects are petitioning to save the Lewis & Clark Library branch, one of the oldest libraries operating under the St. Louis County Public Library.

While the appearance is not attuned to present-day society’s expectations, it is proven to be a very functional library. The Lewis & Clark Library broke through the stereotypes of a stuffy and gloomy library by providing an open-space concept and natural light from windows built around the building. The open floor concept welcomes a casual social environment for residents of all age. At the same time, the library can be easily converted into a large room for civic meetings. On top of all of that, Lewis & Clark Library is still in a solid condition because people took very good care of it since it was built in 1963. This says that the Lewis & Clark Library is a priceless and historical building for residents in North County.

Below are the some of the reasons I found from another article about why Lewis & Clark Library should be saved:

(6 Reasons Why to Save the Lewis & Clark Library by Toby Weiss)

http://www.beltstl.com/2013/10/6-reasons-why-to-save-the-lewis-clark-library/

1.       Legacy is important: This branch is the only historical building that is operated under St. Louis County Public Library. Destroying the library for newer and modern building sends a message that history is not important.
2.       Part of North County’s History: Lewis & Clark Library was designed “with a grace and beauty reflecting the power and aspirations of a new town in a far-flung locale” (Weiss). The landmark library grew as the community got bigger and the residents that grew up in that area have an emotional attachment to the library. Once Lewis & Clark Library is gone, the history in North County will be gone.
3.       Old vs. Historical: The library is old. However, it is still very functional and structurally sound. It has a history with the residents in North County. There is a line between old and historical. Last time I checked, old does not mean it must be destroyed.

Obviously the residents in North County have a strong attachment to the library. In addition to the North County residents, the architects that value historical architecture also want to keep the library from being destroyed.  With that being said, an organization, ModernSTL and North County residents came together to fight for preserving Lewis & Clark Library. ModernSTL has all the resources and higher power of influence to advocate for the library. The North County residents have emotional attachments to the Lewis & Clark Library and have established an online petition and Facebook page to call for supporters to keep the library open.  The St. Louis County Public Library is having a board meeting on March 17^th and the residents are invited to attend and express the importance of keeping the Lewis & Clark Library open.

Talking about saving a library is not grabbing your attention, is it? What really grabbed my attention was the locals’ ambition to keep the Lewis & Clark Library open. The residents in all cities in North County and ModernSTL as an organization put their differences aside and came together to fight to keep a historical building open.  On top of that, the St. Louis County Public Library is willing to work with the North County residents to work something out such as building a new addition for additional library resources (i.e. – computer room).

I looked into the online petition (http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-lewis-and-clark) and it is almost at its goal of 500 signatures. A Facebook page was created to raise awareness and importance of the Lewis & Clark Library. It is amazing to see how one historical building brings in everyone in and out of the community and bond over the fight to save the Lewis & Clark Library.

If a historical building in your community is about to be destroyed, how do you want to bring the community together to fight for it? Do you want to bring in the outsiders based on their power of influence? Do you want to bring in residents that have emotional attachment to the building? Or both?