City: Drop library box initiative

To get the proposal on the ballot, Hoffman must first get signatures from 10 percent of the city's 18,512 voters.

Busy moms

Hoffman sees the library as a service organization that should cater to what its customers want. Despite city claims that a box will not fit and will impede parking and traffic, Hoffman refuses to cave. He has said the box will mainly benefit busy mothers and the elderly.

In actuality, the matter may not even be one for the council to slam the book on. San Carlos belongs to the countywide library system. While the city owns the building itself, the county makes decisions about it. In essence, the county has the authority to OK the drop but the city will ultimately be in charge of making it happen.

Conversely, city residents don't necessarily have the legal power to compel the county to hire the extra staff it claims necessary or cut library hours to absorb the estimated $30,000 cost, said Assistant City Manager Brian Moura.

"It's a very interesting puzzle," Moura said.

Hoffman did not return calls about yesterday's letter.

Based on his earlier persistence, though, it seems unlikely Hoffman will concede easily.

When city officials first told Hoffman the drop proposal wouldn't work for San Carlos, he took the idea to the people. Unfortunately, his way of culling public sentiment was through a petition in front of the library - another no-no according to city officials who told him to stop. They argued his table and clipboard blocked traffic and might set up a precedent for any other person or group wanting to use the lobby to further a political agenda.

Never one to give up, Hoffman appealed the idea to City Manager Mike Garvey. He then appealed Garvey's denial to the City Council which upheld it. Nonetheless, Hoffman netted 224 signatures - only two negative - during his brief 12-hour petition stint.

Supporters probably didn't know they'd have to sacrifice money or hours to have such a drop, though, Moura said.

City Manager Mike Garvey continued to tell Hoffman that the logistics just won't work.

To work, the drop must be on the left side of the vehicle. The only feasible location is the parking lot median in front of the library, which would eliminate two stalls and possibly cause a backlog when other cars cannot maneuver around a stopped vehicle.

Backlogs

Hoffman disagreed, countering that a drop box will prevent such backlogs because currently people leave their cars unattended while running up to the drop slot in the building.

Using the median can also prove dangerous to children darting to and from the library not to mention the loss of at least two parking spots, Garvey said earlier this year.

Library employees also balk at the idea of a drop box because they have to empty them several times day. When the boxes fill up on weekends and after hours, some patrons leave books outside where they can be stolen or damaged.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.