Library box drop idea far from dropped

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 said he already netted 224 signatures — only two negative — during his brief 12-hour petition stint. That is more than enough to show city officials the public likes the idea of a drop, he said.

"The thing about the drop off is the great convenience especially for the elderly. The amazing thing is that all city-owned libraries have them," Hoffman said.

Hoffman, a former member of the City Council, has already asked the city clerk to put him on a future agenda but has not heard yet whether he will be accommodated. Now, the matter lies more with the county than the city.

"I don't think the city will even consider it unless the county is interested," Garvey said.

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.

The problem, according to Garvey, is that there is no easy or practical way to make Hoffman's dream a reality.

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.

Hoffman disagrees, 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 media 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.

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

Garvey said he knows Hoffman is not content to take the city's no at its word. Traffic engineers are compiling a preliminary review which he hopes will conclusively prove that the drop is not the best idea for San Carlos.

"We just can't tell yet. We'll let the professionals come back to the City Council," Garvey said.

Meanwhile, Hoffman said he met with Vicky Johnson, director of library services for the county system. Together they looked at the library and checked out a similar drop box behind the post office, he said.

"It's a similar situation to the library, just re-paved. There seemed to be ample room although [Johnson] does have concerns about traffic being held up," Hoffman said.

Hoffman is as known for his opposition of the free SCOOT shuttle system as he is for his persistence in requesting a library drop off. He claims making school children walk instead of taking SCOOT could help cure childhood obesity. When opponents of the drop-off point say the two views are disparate, Hoffman brushes off the idea that not having a drop could also be a healthy alternative.

"It's not about not being capable to walk up to the drop but if you pull up to the library zone it's only 10 or 20 paces. That's hardly exercise and the convenience is so much greater than the potential good of 25 steps. I don't see that as anything other than a red herring," Hoffman said.

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.