What about the kids?

Moving library could hurt those that need web access the most

Some families living near the East Regional Library can’t afford Internet services, and many don’t even own computers. Because of that, some of the parish’s youngest residents have come to rely on the public library to get important classwork done.

Several of those students , who now ride their bikes or walk to  the East Regional Library, have expressed concerns about the new location.

“If the library closes, what will we do? Where will we go when we have a project due?”  Arthur Bush, an eighth grade student who lives within walking distance of the library, asked. “We come in the library to use the computer mostly.”
The new library will be constructed behind the Destrehan Plantation. Children riding bikes or walking will  have to cross heavy traffic on River Road or I-310 to get there.

“My child won’t be riding his bike back there. It’s too far and it’s dangerous for them to have to ride on the highway like that,” one library patron said. “Closing this library would really hurt the community.”

Tory Dupard, also an eighth grader, said there are at least two streets of kids that use the library on a weekly basis.
“Everyone back here uses it,” he said, as he pointed to the street just behind the library. “I’m not sure what we’d do if it closed.”

However, St. Charles Parish Library Director Mary deBordes says the facility will be within easy reach for all residents.

“The new building will be approximately one mile from the old facility,” she said. “The new library will continue to offer computer and Internet access to patrons living in the area.”

Because the East Regional Library is the only branch with a St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Deputy on staff, it appeared the move might have been for safety reasons. And though deBordes says the officer was placed at that branch for the safety of the staff and the patrons that frequent the library, it has no bearing on the decision to move to a new location.

“The library found it necessary to have a deputy at that location only,” she said. “The safety of the public and staff was not an issue for relocation.”
Initially a security guard firm was hired to handle personal safety issues at the library.

“The security guards were not able to control disruptions affecting the patrons using the library,” she said.
deBordes says when the new East Regional Library  is complete, and the old location becomes vacant, it can be used by the parish in whatever way they deem suitable.

“The library, by law, cannot own real property,” she said.  “And the title to the building is in the name of the parish.”

Since the beginning of 2008 through the end of April, the East Regional Library has seen an average of   1,243 people per week.