Library closure plans move forward despite protest

Plans to close a library serving one of Reno's poorest neighborhoods will move forward despite pleas by community members on Wednesday that they need the resource preserved.

"That is the lowest income community in Washoe County. I really hope you consider the impact you will have," said Darryl Feemster, head of youth and senior services for Reno's Parks and Recreation Department, speaking to the board of trustees for the Washoe County Library System.

Library Director Arne Maurins asserts that a tough decision must be made to get the most out of the system's resources, which have been cut 40 percent in six years. And the Duncan/Traner Library simply isn't being used enough to justify its continuation in northeast Reno, he said. The library serves about 18 people per hour, less than half what many libraries see.

"No one who works in a library wants to close any library. Philosophically and emotionally, it goes against everything we believe in," said Maurins, following testimony from about a dozen community members opposing the proposed closure of Duncan/Traner Library.

Maurins said the library system is dealing with limited resources.

"Sometimes that will lead to reduced or limited services in one location to better serve the county as a whole," he said.

The Duncan/Traner Library is located between the adjacent campuses of Duncan Elementary School and Traner Middle School. While the building serves as a school library during the day, it's opened to the public as a community library for 2.5 hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, providing computers to use as well as books.

Maurins plans to no longer open the library to the community, leaving it to the Washoe County School District's use as a school library during the day.

Maurins is also requesting that the board allow him to close the Verdi Library and Nature Center because of its struggle to attract people. The library — serving the community of Verdi 10 miles west of Reno — is also used as a school library and opens to the public two days a week for a total of 10 hours.

"I want to emphasize that the school libraries would remain open," Maurins said of his plans to only close the libraries to the public.

Closure of these libraries to the public would leave the county with 11 public libraries and free up the equivalent of two full-time employees for expansion of services at other branches, Maurins said.

"If resources are to be pulled from somewhere, they should be pulled from somewhere else that can spare them," community member Franke Perez told the board.

"It's a really rough neighborhood up there. Kids are just running around and need positive things to do," added Susan Robinson, executive director of the Northern Nevada Literacy Council.

The closures are far from certain, Maurins emphasized to the community and board. While the board allowed Maurins to look further into what must happen to close the libraries by the end of the calendar year — which is a complicated endeavor — it hasn't granted approval to close any library.

"I'm not requesting that anything be terminated today," said Maurins, who only wanted the board's blessing on Wednesday to research what must be legally and financially done to close the libraries.

The libraries are operated in agreement with the school district. The Verdi library also operates in partnership with the Nevada Division of Wildlife. The library system would need these groups' approval to shut down the community libraries without a year's notice, leaving the books and other supplies to the schools.

However, the library system received several grants totaling more than $300,000 to open these libraries to the community. Those grants date back more than a decade, but Maurins said legal staff need to investigate whether the library system could be forced to pay back grant money for closing the libraries now.

"Those issues need to be fully explored," said Maurins, noting that if the system is on the hook for significant amounts of money, "I'd certainly not go forward with terminating either library."

Board President Sara Sattler agreed that the board needs more information before it decides whether to allow the closures.

If Duncan/Traner Library does close, Maurins said northeast Reno wouldn't be left wanting. A Boys and Girls Club is less than a mile away, with access to 27 computers, tutoring and more. For the adults, Sparks Library is 2.25 miles away and Senior Center Library is half a mile away.

"But they don't have the resources to get to other services," Feemster said of many community members.

Olivia McElhany can attest to that, having taught at Traner for 10 years. She said many residents don't have cars, but they should always have a library.

"It's an equity issue, basically," she said. "People in all socioeconomic areas deserve books."

She said more people might go to the library if it had more resources, like other branches that are larger. Community members made the same argument.

If Verdi Library closes, Maurins said the library system would continue a pick-up locker for books put on hold. Most people currently use the library for that purpose already. Those needing additional services could drive 8 miles to Northwest Reno Library, he said.

Verdi community members made the same argument as those in northeast Reno. Those needing the library don't have cars.