11/30/2009 10:04:00 PM Editorial: Many more using new 'rust bucket'
The Daily Courier
People have had plenty to say about the looks of the new Prescott Valley Public Library, but they are voting very much in favor of it with their feet.
Assistant Library Director Ted Johnson says people flocked to the new library and checked out 34,000 items in October 2009, a 13 percent increase over the 30,000 they checked out in October 2008. Libraries aren't just for hard-copy books any more. "Items" checked out included DVDs and CDs as well.
Items checked out increased by only 1,700 in August 2009, compared with the same month in 2008.
Johnson credited several factors for the increase, including the new library location, as well as its expanded square footage over the library area in the Civic Center.
Economy also is a factor. People on limited budgets or who aren't working currently can find plenty of entertainment at the library as well as pursue job leads.
A recent newcomer and retiree said she takes out five or six books a week and reads a book a day. An unemployed accountant said he likes to come to the library to study.
Town fathers said they hoped the new building would elicit a strong "wow" factor as a steel and glass emulation of Glassford Hill, which stands behind it.
It certainly has generated some "wows" along with some derisive appellations such as "rust bucket" and "boondoggle."
Even though many folks seem to dislike the look of it, they nonetheless are using it, which is the ultimate outcome we should seek.
Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Dan
When is this library to be COMPLETE? It still is not complete and it is the middle of December...what happened?
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Resident
The library is just a reflection of the local government,plain ugly.
The good news is I just sold my house.Thank You Lord...
Posted: Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Article comment by:
Christopher
Cool building! I remember another building that was given as an example of the need for architectural controls. Dr. Hicks Dental clinic in Prescott. It's a great design influenced by the kivas and pueblos of the Hopis, however it did not look like the typical Midwest architecture, which seems to be a consensus of good taste (or banality depending upon your aesthetic). Again PV, it is a great design that will stand the test of time.
Posted: Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Conceptually, it was a great idea. Execution? Reactions seem to range from meh to bleh. Not worth $25 million any way you shake and bake it.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Food Critic in a barren land
So how are the cannoli sales going in the cafe? Anyone step up to the plate yet?
I am truly frightened to go inside that building! It looks like a house of cards ready to collapse at the first good wind.
Thank you town leaders for another piece of idiot expenditure.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
rk
Glad people are using it but it is a hideous looking structure. I keopt thinking it wasn't finished too!
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
A monument to the palinites
It's the same mentality. Spend a lot of money for a boondagle and spin it as something it's not. Inside it's a library, outside it's a disgrace.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Grundlecat
Just because something is DIFFERENT doesn't mean it's any good. As I watched the structure grow, I kept saying, "Well, it's not done yet... it'll look better when they've finished it..." If anything it was uglier finished than under construction. A friend of mine summed it up best: the only good thing you can say about the new library building is that it makes the town hall look pretty nice in comparison. I think a less 'unique' and expensive building with more BOOKS and COMPUTERS might have better served the community. Or put some of that vast sum of money into staffing. I'm so repelled by the exterior of that, uh, edifice, that I have yet to bring myself to venture inside. I don't see how it could look worse inside than out, but then I thought the town hall was about as ugly a building as one could get.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Investigate
Something New: Look its not about appearence but functionality the absolute rip off of taxpayer money for what really is a patronage and pork project. Doesn't the Mayor have a relative that will get $100,000. for signs? I don't like getting stolen from in this economy and the awful high amount spent on this silly structure is criminal. A Really good , ecology friendly, low maintance buildng could have been built for about 1/4 of what they dumped into this White Elephant. There is a genius in Arcosanti who may have been approached on this and his work would have been world noted. But the silly Town Government can't see past their bank balance except when it suits them or their pals in Land Ownership & Development. I have yet to drive a visitor past who said " "WOW!" what an exciting building! mostly they say what is that rusty (thing) out there, a WW2 hanger?
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
I like it
I think the new library is great.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
The new library is not only unattractive, it's a monument to wasted space. It's the waste, and the cost of keeping all those lights on 24 hours a day, that should concern taxpayers.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
DK
I completly agree someting new. Its not just another faceless building and to call the builidng a rust bucket is a diservice. One only has to enjoy the views from the second floor to appreciate the thoughfullness that went into the design.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
For 25 Million you got this? The colors are from the colors of Glasford Hill and its foliage. I'm not sure where the rust comes from unless there is an old Ford up there somewhere. Now that the "WOW" library is finished, we have a new building to replace the last laughing stock in Prescott Valley; "The Control Tower" called Town Hall. Quite an accomplishment mayor and council.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
something new
Most elderly people seem to dislike the looks while most young people and kids seem to love the looks. Which are you...part of history, or part of the future? I'm just glad it's not another stucco building or a "victorian" building that's been built in a thousand different places! Having said that, I respect the opinions of those who don't like it, but I'm sure I'll be ridiculed by other posters who hate it...
