There were two bond issues on the ballot in Charleston County last November. I opposed the $500 Million school construction referendum because I thought it was wasteful and included some low-priority projects. I supported the $108 Million library initiative.
Very few Republicans came out in favor of the library referendum, and I received some pushback for supporting it. One Republican activist asked me, “Why do we even need libraries now that people can download books on their tablets?”
The fact is that not everyone owns a tablet or can afford to download books. I consider libraries a core function of government and an educational asset to people of all backgrounds.
The library initiative passed with 74% approval and had more than 80% approval in many West Ashley precincts. It adds 5 new libraries, including one in the high growth Bees Ferry Rd. corridor, and 13 renovations at exiting libraries.
Every time I visit the St. Andrews Regional Library off of Sam Rittenberg Blvd., I notice that all of the computer terminals are in use. There are many people who lack internet access at home and use the library computers to search job postings or complete on-line courses which give them marketable skills. The library initiative will increase the number of computers available, equipped with high speed internet.
Another thing I notice at the library is a lot of teens and adults doing research and homework. Many people simply don’t have an adequate workspace at home to do their studies. The library is a valuable educational asset. The renovations will expand teen and child programs and study spaces.
Another valuable service provided by libraries is free meeting rooms for community groups and non-profit organizations. You can seat almost 100 people at the St. Andrews Regional Library. The meeting rooms also have internet access and audiovisual equipment.
West Ashley currently has two libraries – the St. Andrews Regional Library and the West Ashley Library located in the bustling South Windermere Shopping Center. To avoid confusion, the West Ashley Library will be renamed the South Windermere Library. A third library will be added near the proposed West Ashley Circle along the intersection of Bees Ferry Rd. and Glenn McConnell Pkwy.
Charleston County’s library system is governed by an 11-member board appointed by Charleston County Council. The Chairwoman is West Ashley resident Janet Segal, who informed me that the exact site for our new library will be selected soon by County Council and that no name has been chosen for it yet. She told me that public input will be sought for naming the library and approving its design.
The new West Ashley Library will be 20,000 square feet (compared to the 14,000 square foot St. Andrews Regional Library). It will accommodate a rapidly growing area in which thousands of new homes have been built in the past few years. Segal said, “This will be a 21st Century library with more technology access, more public meeting space and more resources for students than we have ever had before.”
Bids for the new West Ashley library architectural design and construction will go out during the next few weeks. It should open in 2017 or early 2018. I will keep you informed on the public comment periods concerning the library’s design. I have full confidence in the management and transparency associated with our county library system and am excited about the improvements coming our way at existing libraries.
John Steinberger is the former chairman of the Charleston County Republican Party, a leading Fair Tax advocate, and a West Ashley resident. He can be reached at John.steinberger@scfairtax.org.
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