Protesters gathered outside the newly renovated Spencer Road library branch Tuesday night.
Holding signs that say “Save our Libraries,” the demonstrators were calling for officials at the St. Charles City-County Library district to not move forward with a plan they proposed in May. If passed, the Kisker Road and McClay branches would close by June 30. The Deer Run branch would close after renovations are completed at the Middendorf Kredell Branch in O’Fallon.
After negative reaction from the community, the library board tabled making any decision on branch closures.
At a closed work session meeting on June 6, the board also discussed a plan to hold listening sessions for the community to provide feedback. The President of the Board of Trustees Stacia Alavarez tells 5 on your Side they have not scheduled any of those listening sessions yet but hope to start them in July.
“We have committed to taking a step back and giving ourselves as much time as we need to gather input and information before we make a decision.” Alvarez said. “Our goal is to make the best decision we can to ensure the long-term, sustainable financial future for the Library District and we recognize it will take time to do this in a way that includes meaningful engagement.”
Demonstrators said they are eager to have their voices heard but also hesitant to get their hopes up.
“I hope that they actually stick to their word,” said Lauramarie Olesnicki about the proposed listening sessions. “I really hope that they take them to heart and it’s not just to placate us, and make this decision anyway.”
In the strategic plan proposal, library leadership describes financial hardships as the reason to close branches. In essence, library administration says in order to save money in the long-run, branch closures made the most sense. Shortly after the May presentation, the district's Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Lori Beth Crawford, told 5 on your Side this :
“The proposed plan calls for the eventual sunset of all of our medium-sized locations. These locations were designed and built to provide a narrow range of services that no longer meet the changing preferences of our residents."
In the weeks after the administration’s proposal, many in the county have reiterated they prefer their area libraries stay open. Olesnicki lives within walking distance of Deer Run library branch. She says part of the reason people choose to live in St. Charles County is largely due to the ease of access to community libraries.
“We choose not to live in St. Louis County for a variety of reasons. And one of those reasons are our libraries.” Olesnicki said. “If the libraries were to close, it would restrict access to a lot of people.”
Alvarez says the board will not make any decisions about branch closures at the June 18th board meeting. The budget takes effect July 1, but it can be amended following the listening sessions.
After an original version of this story was published, the St. Charles City-County Library shared a statement with 5 on your Side defining their locations:
"We have 4 main locations that are open longer hours and on Sundays - those branches include Spencer Road, Middendorf-Kredell, Kathryn Linnemann, and Corporate Parkway. Then we have McClay, Kisker, and Deer Run which have their own set of hours and are currently closed on Sundays. Then our smallest branches include Augusta, Boones Trail in New Melle, WingHaven, and Cliff View in Wentzville."
If you would like to share feedback with the St. Charles City-County Board, you can email board@stchlibrary.org or fill out this form.