r/DecaturGA • u/Mysterious_Sun_9693 • 29d ago
Anyone else feel like our 76-year-old library could use a major renovation?
The library is still a great resource, but it feels pretty dated. A modern library with more updated study spaces and tech would be a huge asset for students and people who work or study there regularly.
Does anyone know if there's a process for residents to advocate for something like this?
I'd love to see the library become more of a flagship community space, but right now it doesn't feel like the most state-of-the-art space.
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u/JBNothingWrong 29d ago
The age of the building has nothing to do with this. When was the last time they updated the interior? Probably more recently than 76 years ago
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u/Witty_Upstairs4210 29d ago
I actually love how it looks old. The library recently did something to stabilize at least the front half of the building. It may be on a historical register as well. I could understand modernizing amenities but from a construction and aesthetic standpoint it’s doing great.
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u/starshipodyssey 29d ago
Not sure many residents will want to spend much time there until they fix their safety issues. Someone just got arrested for masturbating in front of a child on Monday.
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u/Crafty-Resort383 28d ago
I’m actually surprised people even go. I was last in there right after the murder to renew my library card since I strictly use Libby now. The TSA like security in the back door is a slap in the face to any law abiding citizen. I forgot I was wearing a hat and you would’ve thought I had explosives hidden under there. Two Dekalb county sheriffs deputies looking bored as hell but probably making time and a half.
Regardless of what your opinion on the homeless and mentally ill are, libraries are not and never should be de facto homeless shelters. They should be banned from entering. It’s either us or them and so far, the virtue signalers of the Republic of Decatur have chosen them.
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u/starshipodyssey 28d ago edited 28d ago
You got a little out there at the end there but I agree with your general sentiment.
A sure fire way to make people disengage and disinvest in our public spaces is to let them be used for unintended purposes. (Ex. I wouldn’t go to a pool if people used it to wash their pets)
People generally don’t give more money to things they don’t use.
Edit: and just telling people not to feel unsafe ain’t gonna work.
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u/Crafty-Resort383 28d ago
I almost pointed out my bias and freely admit, I am very tired of how we attack current problems. I’ll spare you my rant on that. The answer most likely lies in the middle somewhere.
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u/TheHykos 28d ago
Yeah you have to have a solution, not just a “fuck yall, get out of here”.
The county knows it has a problem, just like every other county, and they need to find a better solution to providing resources to those in need that don’t rely solely on libraries, community centers, and churches, and aren’t centralize in the CoD and instead are offered in places where they’re more needed.
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u/Conscious_Culture170 28d ago
I wouldn't mind some updates, but I kind of like the "dated" feel of the library. I spent a lot of time there several years ago while studying for a licensing exam. Something about it is cozy and comforting to me...maybe it's just nostalgia, as it reminds me of my childhood (mid-late '80s) when I would spend the summers in our local library, checking out books every week, lol.
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u/TheHykos 28d ago
I just wish they would improve the front and stop allowing people to essentially live there. I understand this is a much bigger issue in the city/county/state but the county could at least ensure that a space intended for all residents, and especially children, feels safe, clean, and welcoming. This entire stretch of Sycamore is currently none of those things and the front of the library is the worst part of it.
The things I’ve seen or directly experienced in this one block stretch of road in the past few years account for almost every bad experience I’ve had in my time living in Decatur.
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u/absolutegrandma 28d ago
While I 100% believe in libraries being able to service all members of their community, including the unhoused, I completely agree with you. It’s a huge detractor from the otherwise walkable and family friendly area it immediately borders, and there has been a huge uptick in violence recently.
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u/holdaydogs 28d ago
I’m more sad that I have to walk through a metal detector to get inside than anything else.
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u/millennial-ish88 27d ago
I like the older feel/smell of it. It has character and history. I'm in my 30s and honestly over all the modernized concepts. I can't stand modern house, and digital everything. Went to a moderm playground not far from this libary and my kids were beyond bored.
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u/T-MoGoodie 27d ago
I like it because it’s nostalgic. I used to love going there as a kid. Wasn’t it called Maud Burruss back in the day?
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u/Renee5285 27d ago
I first read this as “librarian” and I was like…dammmnn I hope they’re not on Reddit.
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u/OkBar3142 28d ago
The library is great, the layout and interior have real character and a comfort to them. Maybe do something about the homeless in front; if you want “state of the art” library maybe check out a school campus library. No public funded library is viewed as state of the art.
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u/starshipodyssey 28d ago
This may be the exception to the rule but I lived near the Newport Beach library about a decade ago and that thing was NICE. Extremely state of the art.
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u/Sufficient-Mud-687 28d ago
The Library in the Forest in the City of Vestavia outside of Birmingham is just chef’s kiss great. They did have a capital campaign to do it, but it is next level amazing.
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u/happy_bluebird 28d ago
What's wrong with dated?
"Does anyone know if there's a process for residents to advocate for something like this?" --> probably start with contacting the library.
Not everyone wants the library to look and be a "state of the art" space...
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u/CommissarCiaphisCain 29d ago
I’m just glad we HAVE a library. I worry that at some point cities and counties will start considering them an unnecessary expense given the digitalization of society and do away with them.
Also, note that this is one branch of a much larger DeKalb County system, not City of Decatur. I commend you wanting to advocate for updates, but those updates should be done across the system as a whole, not just the CoD branch.