Friends of the Library urges free parking or library-card system to keep evening and weekend programs accessible

Dr. Susan Riley, representing the Friends of the Library, told the council the organization contributes roughly $200,000 annually to evening and weekend programming and urged the city to ensure people of limited means can attend classes without paying for parking. “The library is free. Parking probably will not be free,” she said, and proposed a system in which a code on library cards would allow one hour of free parking for program attendees so low‑income residents can continue to access ESL, high‑school‑equivalency preparatory classes and senior computer help.

Nancy Jo Feinberg, chair of the library board, reinforced the plea and said a drive‑through window—now used by other area branches—would ease patrons' access and reduce demand on downtown parking. Feinberg said drive‑through circulation helps elderly patrons, parents with small children and others who may find curbside pick‑up easier than long walks from remote parking.

Both presenters asked staff and council to factor library access into downtown planning and the government campus master plan, noting that evening hours and weekend programming make free or cost‑offset parking especially important. City staff acknowledged the concern and said the recreation and campus master plans and redevelopment proposals would be evaluated for impacts on parking and access; no binding policy change was adopted during the workshop.

Next steps: staff will include library access considerations in downtown and recreation master‑plan work and return with options that address free or subsidized parking for program participants and potential operational models such as a drive‑through service or validation/code program.