A concerned citizen wishing to remain anonymous emailed Livable Raleigh about proposals being considered for the Athens Drive Library.
The Athens Drive Community Library (ADCL) has been a valued part of SW Raleigh/Avent West Community for 47 years! The library opened inside of the high school in 1978. In 2022, due to concerns of having the public in the school building during the day, the decision was made to move the Community Library out of the high school and build a standalone library on or adjacent to the high school.
The Wake Commissioners agreed to help the community accomplish this goal by placing the Athens Drive Community Library Replacement on the 2024 Bond Referendum. The voters of Wake County supported the 2024 bond and now with the funding set, a site must be selected.
The site for the library has become a major issue in the community since the county has not secured a site in the community which is being heavily developed and redeveloped.
The promise made and thus the expectation was that the library would remain on the campus or near the high school allowing the students to continue to have access to the library along with our community!
We are a diverse community, with walkable streets, conveniently located on bus lines, with dense and affordable housing, and a history of support for, and appreciation of, the library. Moving the library out of our community would be a betrayal of our community and the many residents who rely on this library for a variety of services.
A search for suitable sites within the community has been challenging, given the lot size requirements imposed by county planners which was misrepresented by county staff over the years as much larger than needed. We have learned that 2-3 acres is enough land and there are sites available if the county acts quickly.
There is an unbelievably valuable option in our neighborhood, a prime spot on Athens Drive that is easily accessible by foot, bus, bike, and car, and close to the high school. The community is supporting this site or using land on the Athens Drive campus.
We need the county to use the bond money and secure this site before it is unavailable, especially if we cannot secure a place on the high school campus.
Unfortunately, the County commissioners are also considering a site on Yates Mill Pond Road in Cary. The alternative is at the corner of Tryon Road and Yates Mill Pond Road, which is neither bikeable, walkable, or “bus-able” – it is only drivable!
The biggest drawback, of course, is that it is no longer in our neighborhood, meaning not a replacement, but a switch to closing our library and putting a new library somewhere else. The community is strongly opposed to this site as it is not in the community and can only be used by those who travel in a car. We continue to express clear, staunch support for keeping the library in our neighborhood.
What can you do?
Let your elected representatives and our government staff know that keeping the Athens Drive Community Library in our neighborhood is an important issue for you and your friends and family.
CONTACT Elected Officials Who Make the Decisions!
Let your elected representatives know that keeping the Athens Drive Community Library in our neighborhood is an important issue for you and your friends and family.
- Wake County Commissioners are responsible for picking a site and building libraries in the county- start with them! You can email them at:
Wake County Board of Commissioners (all members): https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/board-commissioners/contact-your-board-commissioners-office
or call and leave a message at 919-856-6180.
- Wake County School Board: Because our current library is located inside of the Athens Dr. High School, the School Board also plays a critical role especially since one of the KEY proposed sites for a new standalone replacement library is on Athens Dr. High School campus.
★ Mr. Chris Heagarty, District 7: jheagarty@wcpss.net
★ Ms. Lynn Edmonds, District 5 (includes ADHS): ledmonds2@wcpss.net
★ Mr. Sam Hershey, District 6: shershey@wcpss.net
★ Ms. Toshiba Rice, District 4: trice@wcpss.net
★ Ms. Christina A Gordon, District 2: cgordon2@wcpss.net
★ Mr. Tyler Swanson, District 9: tjswanson@wcpss.net
★ Amanda Boshoff, Principal, Athens Dr. HS: aboshoff@wcpss.net
- The City of Raleigh also owns land next to the high school and in the community. We have also asked them to consider ways they can provide land or other assistance and they are very supportive.
■ Raleigh City Council (all members): citycouncilmembers@raleighnc.gov
ATTEND County Commission Meeting & Speak Up for our Library.
During public comments, you can speak for 2 minutes. Next Two Meetings:
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- Monday, Dec. 1 – 5 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 5 – 5 p.m.
- The meetings are at the Justice Center on Salisbury St., 2nd Floor, Room 2700.
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- You must sign up to speak: You can sign up in the back of the room – up to 30 minutes before the meeting or you can sign up online the day of the meeting between 9 am to Noon.
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- You can park in the parking deck and get your ticket validated to park free at the back of the meeting room.
Share Your Library Love on Social Media
Take pictures and videos of you and your family enjoying the library’s resources, checking out books, sharing your latest read from the library, etc. Talk about why the library is important to you and your family. Tag your photos (@friendsofADCL) on the social media platforms below. Keep videos short, 30-45 seconds, asking commissioners to KEEP the LIBRARY in the Community (In Raleigh) and why!
Here is a quick and easy video on how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQxACuep3E
You can also email your videos to friendsoftheathensdrivelibrary@gmail.com. We will post them for you and share with the elected!
WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITORS:
Submit a Letter to the Editors (LTE) for three major newspapers in the area. Most newspapers have a 200-word limit, so it does not take too long.
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- N&O RULES: Letters cannot exceed two hundred words and published letters often run shorter. Published letters appear online and in print and may appear in one. or both newspapers. Letters must include your first and last name, address, and email address.
- They are submitted online to Forum@newsobserver.com
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- Submit to The Carolinian: https://caro.news/contact/
- Submit to INDY: backtalk@indyweek.com
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