"Lack of Logic in the "New" Library Plan"

To P&Z Commissioners:

I understand the need for a new library building, but I
struggle to understand why the library is so opposed preserving the 1913
building. They say that they've tried for years to incorporate the
building in their plans. I believe they said they tried 12 different
renderings to do so. So given the plan of Keith Simpson's that
incorporates the 1913 building so well, while leaving enough green to
enjoy - why is the NCL so apposed to this plan? It was a goal of theirs
for many years to try and incorporate the 1913 building. Many donors
were expecting them to save the 1913 building. So why?

I have enjoyed our library with my family for the 30 years we
have lived here. But I also enjoy the many other things our town
provides and I don't exactly understand why the library feels they have
to be the be-all and end-all of the town. We have many fine parks and
facilities, we all know the list of them. I worry that some of the
libraries plans will wind up competing with other organizations in town.
I don't think they have to have a part in every activity imaginable. I
also don't quite understand the idea of putting up a tent and stage. Is
that left up all summer taking up lots of space? Is it coming up and
going down during the season? And if so, that's very expensive as well.
Is it necessary and wise in the downtown area in terms of noise and
congestion?

The things I remember most fondly of our library were mostly
the sweet and gentle low key events such as the Teddy Bear Picnic, and
the summer reading programs. The incredible thrill of the midnight Harry
Potter book party, and the wonderful book sales with a grand piano
playing. The 1913 library was the perfect place for these events, and
the most charming of backdrops on those occasions.

There's a lack of logic in the NCL plan. They tried very hard
to use the 1913 in their plan, so now here's a great plan to use both
the new building and saving the 1913 Library, so why not use it? The
costs of the 1913 restoration will not be down to the NCL. Eager donors,
together with the town, will cover the cost. Furthermore, the library
also knows that the current zoning protects the 1913 library, so why are
they not respecting that? And why are we ignoring the keen interest in
environmental issues of today?

To quote Carl Elefante, former president of the American
Institute of Architects, "The greenest building is the one that already exists".
We are supposed to be thinking this way in these more enlightened
times. To paraphrase from something else I just read, older buildings
tend to be built with higher-quality materials, and were also built to
different standards. A century-old building is often a better long-term
bet than its brand-new counterparts.

Save the 1913 Library please... there's no going back if you don't.

Sincerely,

Patricia Funt Oxman

New Canaan, CT