DEAR EDITOR: I am pleased that the correspondent whose letter appeared in your column under the heading “LaPlace Library has its shortcomings” thought the library was beautiful. I also appreciate knowing about her responses to the new library. I am sorry that it was not a totally positive experience for her grandchild. While it is true that there is no pay telephone in the building yet, there are telephones at the circulation desk that patrons may used upon request. This was also the way at the old building on Airline Highway.

The library works and is designed to standards, some adopted in Louisiana and nationally and some required by law. The book stacks are 36 inches apart to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with library standards. This is the same width as in the old building. It would have been very good to have been able to place them a little further apart; but by doing so, the library would not have been able to fit in as many ranges and shelves, nor house as many books. As with most things, each decision in the design and layout of the building has a consequence and the positives must be weighed against the negatives.

Our initial push to construct a new central library for the parish was to accommodate expanded services, growing collections and the changes that have been necessary because of the advent of computers. The Parish Council provided to the Library Board space in the new park and civic center area that is being developed on Highway 51.

As for our books, there was no deficiency in the collection of books and other materials that were in place. Indeed, we had then and now an excellent collection of materials. The Library Board and the staff wanted to be able to add to that collection in the future, as well as add new services and amenities to make the library more welcoming.

The old building had become crowded as more shelves were added to house the growing collections and the new formats of materials such as books-on-tape and videocassettes (not to mention computers) that were not available when that building was built.

Our new building was designed to be an informal and welcoming place, full of light, and we hope it will accommodate the needs of our growing population for many years to come. We needed more space for more tables for library users to sit, read and write or study; as well as room for more computers. The computer has made many tasks easier and yet computers can cause a lot of aggravation when they are not working up to speed. It is unfortunately true that all the catalog terminals have not been available at all times. Our staff is working very hard to correct these problems.

And, there are still some additions to be made to the building. Benches have been ordered for the front to provide a place for people to sit when waiting for a ride or to enjoy the breeze with a book on a good day and the library staff is working to get good signage to add to the shelves as well as a direction map of the new building. The Library Board and the library staff are constantly working to make the new central library and the library branches more accessible and user-friendly places for the citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish.

Norris J. Millet, president

Library Board of Control

St. John the Baptist Parish