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New library has different problems
By TIM GRANT © St. Petersburg Times, published April 8, 2001 CARROLLWOOD -- It seems the new and improved regional library in Carrollwood could use a bit more improvement. Although it's much bigger and better than the old facility in Northdale, some people are complaining that the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library is not fully accessible to disabled users and not entirely safe for drivers. "It's tough to make a left turn leaving the library," said 67-year-old George Deal. "Especially when traffic is busy on Bearss Avenue, it's dangerous." County employees discussed these concerns recently after a small number of library users filed formal complaints. Most, but not all, can be fixed fairly easily. Carrollwood Village resident Myra Silverman has asked the county to install a traffic signal on Bearss Avenue at the entrance to the library. "It is almost impossible to turn into the Jimmie Keel Library, also it is very hard to get out," reads a memo from Commissioner Jim Norman to county administrator Dan Kleman asking for an investigation. Sylvia Cone of Northdale told Norman there should be chairs in the library's long entrance hallway allowing disabled people to rest. She also suggests that the library have carts for disabled people who check out more than two books. Other disabled users complain that the handicap parking spaces are about 100 feet from the entrance and there is no curb cut for wheelchair access at the library's front door. "I would appreciate more accommodations for handicapped people," said Brian De Savage, 40. "The handicapped spaces are a really long walk from the entrance and I have to bring my own bag because they have nothing to help me carry books." According to Michael Kelly, director of Hillsborough County's real estate department, the county anticipated traffic problems at the Bearss Avenue entrance long ago. That's why a 54-foot strip of land was bought for a secondary access to Smitter Road, which runs behind the library. The access driveway to Smitter Road is now under permit review. Kelly said that access should alleviate traffic concerns and should be built by mid-summer. The library at 2902 W Bearss Ave. replaced the Northwest Regional Library in Northdale, which had air quality problems stemming from a leaky roof and mold. Most of the money for the $3.5-million library came from the Austin Davis-WD Charities foundation, which was started by founders of the Winn-Dixie grocery chain. The foundation intended the building as a Valentine's Day gift to the community. But within three days of its Feb. 14 opening, the library experienced plumbing problems and had to close its bathrooms temporarily. Stephanie Losurdo, the branch librarian, said there might have been fewer problems if the library had not opened as quickly as it did. The Northdale library had closed and officials did not want the public to be without a library for more than a week. "In that short period of time we weren't able to get everything in place," Losurdo said. "If we had been closed for a number of weeks, everything would have been done. Now we're doing things that probably would have been done if we were closed longer." Losurdo said park benches have been ordered for seating in the library's lobby. She said handicapped customers can also use the library's drive-through window. Even if they come inside, she said the staff will be happy to search the shelves for the books they want and help carry them to their cars. She said she will ask for charitable donations for book carts for handicapped customers. As for handicapped parking, Losurdo said there is nothing that can be done to move those spaces closer to the entrance. However, Losurdo said she is trying to find out if the curb at the entrance to the library's driveway can be cut for wheelchair access. Losurdo said while the library can do nothing about getting a traffic light at Bearss Avenue, she said she has been encouraging people to contact county commissioners about installing a signal light. - To reach Tim Grant call 226-3471, or e-mail him at grant@sptimes.com.
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