I was disheartened when I met with Walter Iwanenko, president of Gannon University, about a lease between Gannon and Erie County government for rights to space in the Blasco Memorial Public Library for the university’s Project NePTWNE. He cited statistics, shared by the county executive’s administration about the future of public libraries that I feel deserve a deeper consideration. There has also been mention by Erie County Executive Brenton Davis of unused space in the bayfront library and the sharing of misinformation.
It is past time for an open discussion on this controversy, including all of the stakeholders; a public meeting that should have occurred before a vote was ever undertaken by Erie County Council. This public meeting must occur before any construction on the part of Gannon University takes place in the main and only public library in Erie’s downtown area. The people should demand it.
Factual information is essential in decision-making. So, to be informed is key. What is the truth? In an open public forum, the Erie County Executive, president of Gannon University, Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, Erie County Council, library staff and advisory board and the common citizens can all bring their perspectives to the table. The subject can be understood; the truth can be illuminated.