Forsyth County has long needed a new Central Library. And now there's a good idea for a possible location for it: The Piedmont Triad Research Park in Winston-Salem. That idea should at least accelerate talks about building a new Central Library.
Bear in mind that Forsyth County Commissioner Ted Kaplan, who proposed this idea, said that it's just that: an idea. But we have to start somewhere. And Doug Edgeton, the president of the research park, thinks the idea could work. "What we have said is research and education, and libraries clearly fit into that mold," he recently told the Journal's Wesley Young.
With the right planning, the library could indeed fit nicely into the park's expansion's plans. Those plans include office, residential and retail space and transforming the park, already a biotech center, into a vibrant place to live. Placing the library in the park would certainly enhance that effort. Perhaps local colleges could jump into the effort with rooms, or even wings, in the new library.
That, of course, is dreaming.
But this we do know: The new Central Library should stay in the downtown area, where it can enhance downtown revitalization, whether the library is in the research park or some other downtown area. Having a vibrant downtown is important for economic development throughout the county. And it's also obvious that the Central Library needs replacing.
The current Central Library on Fifth Street is outdated, to say the least. It has an inflexible floor plan, limited parking and cramped quarters. The county library system has compared well with other systems in the state in efforts to modernize with computer resources, but it lags behind on issues related to space.
In contrast, the Triad's other two major cities, Greensboro and High Point, have relatively new libraries that are drawing cards for those cities. Modern, well-equipped, well-maintained libraries send the strong signal that their communities have vitality and vision, and care about learning.
That may not seem so important in tight economic times, but it should. Libraries are costly, but they help drive economic development. They serve as crucial resources for students and for adults trying to find new jobs. They're also places to relax and hold community meetings and programs. They improve the overall quality of life, helping to draw new companies and residents.
A consultant is working on a study of the new Central Library. Once the study is done, county commissioners should finally get going on plans for the new library.
The research park might be a fine location for it. We're sure there are lots of other sites worth discussing. It's time for serous talk about the new library.
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