We need to ask the right questions about library plan

This guest column by Derrick Van Mell appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 1, 2009. (Click on image above for full article.)

I think that Van Mell has this right. At the end of the day, the most important step will be for our community to consider and re-affirm our commitment to the values historically expressed by our libraries - equal access to knowledge, life-long learning, and the importance of literacy. The Central Library is different and much more than a branch library. It is a symbolic expression of these democratic values.

Our team passionately believes that these symbols are important, and we will argue that Madison should take this opportunity to build a new central library of real substance and integrity.