Reston Library

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you propose they do that results in the outcome of a functioning and pleasant library space AND serves a growing homeless population effectively and in a humanizing way?

You speak a lot about getting them out of the library, which I get, but you say nothing of the needs the homeless have and that those needs should be met in a compassionate way. I'm interested to hear your solution or desired outcome(s) before I call you a heartless B. And I don't say that because of your complaints - I get them and I agree. I say it because of the way you complain and how it's sounding.

-- Dirty Liberal who found my way to this thread and also grew up in Reston and has family members in those million dollar houses who use the library without complaint

I'm a DP but you're being unfair to the OP. Typical 'liberal limousine elite post'. Do your relatives who live in those million dollar houses actually use the library? I find that what happens is a lot of those wealthier families slip the library. They buy books instead for their kids and themselves. Easier to order with a click off of Amazon than scour the shelves. So support for the library goes down.

Personally I LOVE libraries. And my solidly middle class family cannot afford to buy every single book the kids want to read.

So while this issue may not affect your rich family members in their million dollar houses, it certainly does impact the lives of middle class families who moved there for a safe place to raise their kids.

I agree with the dirty liberal....and I am solidly middle class and my dh who grew up in South Reston, and very middle class, would disagree with you. We have toddlers and actually have used the library. I don't get eeked out by homeless people thoigh and I don't want my kids to grow up thinking that it is okay to push homeless people out of public spaces because they are an inconvenience rather than providing actually services for them.

I don't want to push homeless people out of the library because they are "inconvenient". I want to push them out because they are dirty, smelly, crazy, and dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I've been doing some research and dug up an analysis (and suggestions) put forward by the Reston Association. It does appear that the library is being short-changed in the new development plans, as apparently the standard recommendation is for 1 SF per resident, and Reston has 60,000 residents, thus a new library of 60,000 is suggested. In fact, RA suggested building as large as 90,000 sf to accommodate projected population increases.

But the plans call to increase the size from its current 30,000 to only 39,000 - a 30% increase. OTOH, the shelter is projected to increase from 10,000 to 21,000 - more than doubling, and I suppose doubling the number of homeless who will ruin the new, expensive library.

RA made some good suggestions, one of which was to move the shelter to the vacant Cameron Glen Facility, which was formerly a rehab/nursing center. It already has kitchen facilities, sleeping rooms, lounge rooms, etc., and would be a cost-efficient use of existing property. (Also a way to add a but more distance to the library.) Then, the library could be expanded over the land which currently houses the shelter. )I'm guessing that idea was rejected.

Just in case any of my fellow Restonians are interested, here it is. Outdated, but interesting.
https://www.scribd.com/mobile/document/280003003/Reston-Town-Center-North-Redevelopment-RCA-White-Paper-Sept-8-2015

My understanding is that they are going to demolish that former rehab/nursing center building and create a large development there. I have other issues with that project. Namely, a daycare and preschool used to also be housed in that same building. As Reston becomes more densely developed, where is the green space for kids? Where is the long term vision for a community that is inclusive of what children need? But sorry OP, that is a tangential rant on your topic; however, much more thought and consideration and allowance is made for the residents of Embry Rucker and none at all seems to be given to the future children of Reston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you propose they do that results in the outcome of a functioning and pleasant library space AND serves a growing homeless population effectively and in a humanizing way?

You speak a lot about getting them out of the library, which I get, but you say nothing of the needs the homeless have and that those needs should be met in a compassionate way. I'm interested to hear your solution or desired outcome(s) before I call you a heartless B. And I don't say that because of your complaints - I get them and I agree. I say it because of the way you complain and how it's sounding.

-- Dirty Liberal who found my way to this thread and also grew up in Reston and has family members in those million dollar houses who use the library without complaint

One way to "meet the needs" of the homeless would be for the shelter staff to bring books to the residents and tell them to stay out of the library.

But the fact is, the homeless are not there to read or check out books, and therefore they have no need to be in the library at all.

[Anonymous]

Libraries have rules of conduct. Harassing a woman on the computer, as alleged here, does not fall within acceptable behavior. So sanctimonious and wimpy paeans to the Constitution won't cut it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you propose they do that results in the outcome of a functioning and pleasant library space AND serves a growing homeless population effectively and in a humanizing way?

You speak a lot about getting them out of the library, which I get, but you say nothing of the needs the homeless have and that those needs should be met in a compassionate way. I'm interested to hear your solution or desired outcome(s) before I call you a heartless B. And I don't say that because of your complaints - I get them and I agree. I say it because of the way you complain and how it's sounding.

-- Dirty Liberal who found my way to this thread and also grew up in Reston and has family members in those million dollar houses who use the library without complaint

I'm a DP but you're being unfair to the OP. Typical 'liberal limousine elite post'. Do your relatives who live in those million dollar houses actually use the library? I find that what happens is a lot of those wealthier families slip the library. They buy books instead for their kids and themselves. Easier to order with a click off of Amazon than scour the shelves. So support for the library goes down.

Personally I LOVE libraries. And my solidly middle class family cannot afford to buy every single book the kids want to read.

So while this issue may not affect your rich family members in their million dollar houses, it certainly does impact the lives of middle class families who moved there for a safe place to raise their kids.

Restonite NP here. Look, the homeless are not using the library to meet their library related needs. They are sleeping there, watching internet there, hanging out and smoking out front, and also sleeping rough round the sides and back. While the earlier PP is accusing everybody of special meanness in proposing to deny this one group doing what they prefer to do at the library, while this one group makes the library an unattractive destination for everybody else who is interested in using the library for its purpose.

+1,000,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you propose they do that results in the outcome of a functioning and pleasant library space AND serves a growing homeless population effectively and in a humanizing way?

You speak a lot about getting them out of the library, which I get, but you say nothing of the needs the homeless have and that those needs should be met in a compassionate way. I'm interested to hear your solution or desired outcome(s) before I call you a heartless B. And I don't say that because of your complaints - I get them and I agree. I say it because of the way you complain and how it's sounding.

-- Dirty Liberal who found my way to this thread and also grew up in Reston and has family members in those million dollar houses who use the library without complaint

I'm a DP but you're being unfair to the OP. Typical 'liberal limousine elite post'. Do your relatives who live in those million dollar houses actually use the library? I find that what happens is a lot of those wealthier families slip the library. They buy books instead for their kids and themselves. Easier to order with a click off of Amazon than scour the shelves. So support for the library goes down.

Personally I LOVE libraries. And my solidly middle class family cannot afford to buy every single book the kids want to read.

So while this issue may not affect your rich family members in their million dollar houses, it certainly does impact the lives of middle class families who moved there for a safe place to raise their kids.

I agree with the dirty liberal....and I am solidly middle class and my dh who grew up in South Reston, and very middle class, would disagree with you. We have toddlers and actually have used the library. I don't get eeked out by homeless people thoigh and I don't want my kids to grow up thinking that it is okay to push homeless people out of public spaces because they are an inconvenience rather than providing actually services for them.

I don't want to push homeless people out of the library because they are "inconvenient". I want to push them out because they are dirty, smelly, crazy, and dangerous.

Hey hey! Dirty liberal here again!

I don't necessarily agree with the many comments that it makes the library experience unpleasant - it does. Or that the library should not be a de-facto homeless shelter - it shouldn't. But again, no one chastising me answered my question: what DO you propose/want/envision?

[Anonymous]

My children and I go to the Herndon Fortnightly library. MUCH more pleasant. Completely different atmosphere.

My husband is the only one who prefers Reston Regional over Herndon Fortnightly among us. He says he prefers it b/c it's bigger, but, hey, I just reserve all my books online and then have them sent to Herndon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm a Reston resident as well and I've learned so much from this thread. The idea of moving the shelter to Cameron Glen and expanding the library is such a logical and rational solution. I can't believe the direction plans are moving instead.

Thanks for doing the research on this issue.

OP here, thanks. I had heard very little about these plans during the hearing stage (although I was battling a medical issue for the past year and focused elsewhere) and wonder if the County is moving forward despite objections from the community. Reston residents - and especially parents whose children use the library - have been complaining for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you propose they do that results in the outcome of a functioning and pleasant library space AND serves a growing homeless population effectively and in a humanizing way?

You speak a lot about getting them out of the library, which I get, but you say nothing of the needs the homeless have and that those needs should be met in a compassionate way. I'm interested to hear your solution or desired outcome(s) before I call you a heartless B. And I don't say that because of your complaints - I get them and I agree. I say it because of the way you complain and how it's sounding.

-- Dirty Liberal who found my way to this thread and also grew up in Reston and has family members in those million dollar houses who use the library without complaint

I'm a DP but you're being unfair to the OP. Typical 'liberal limousine elite post'. Do your relatives who live in those million dollar houses actually use the library? I find that what happens is a lot of those wealthier families slip the library. They buy books instead for their kids and themselves. Easier to order with a click off of Amazon than scour the shelves. So support for the library goes down.

Personally I LOVE libraries. And my solidly middle class family cannot afford to buy every single book the kids want to read.

So while this issue may not affect your rich family members in their million dollar houses, it certainly does impact the lives of middle class families who moved there for a safe place to raise their kids.

I agree with the dirty liberal....and I am solidly middle class and my dh who grew up in South Reston, and very middle class, would disagree with you. We have toddlers and actually have used the library. I don't get eeked out by homeless people thoigh and I don't want my kids to grow up thinking that it is okay to push homeless people out of public spaces because they are an inconvenience rather than providing actually services for them.

I don't want to push homeless people out of the library because they are "inconvenient". I want to push them out because they are dirty, smelly, crazy, and dangerous.

Hey hey! Dirty liberal here again!

I don't necessarily agree with the many comments that it makes the library experience unpleasant - it does. Or that the library should not be a de-facto homeless shelter - it shouldn't. But again, no one chastising me answered my question: what DO you propose/want/envision?

OK, dirty liberal....the OP here, and I posted an analysis by RA (that's Reston Association) upthread suggesting that a vacant nursing/rehab home - complete with kitchen, sleeping rooms w/semi-private bathrooms, common lounge areas - be converted to the homeless shelter. So that could have been one option. It would be significantly cheaper than a complete re-build, and a few blocks removed from the library. (Still walking distance, but at least not a 30-second jump like it is now.)

Since the County didn't want to go that way, they should look for a vacant (or undersized) plot of land that is away from the library. And it does not have to be in the Reston Town Center (or one block away, as it is now) at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you propose they do that results in the outcome of a functioning and pleasant library space ..... RA (that's Reston Association) upthread suggesting that a vacant nursing/rehab home - complete with kitchen, sleeping rooms w/semi-private bathrooms, common lounge areas - be converted to the homeless shelter. So that could have been one option. It would be significantly cheaper than a complete re-build, and a few blocks removed from the library. (Still walking distance, but at least not a 30-second jump like it is now.)

Since the County didn't want to go that way, they should look for a vacant (or undersized) plot of land that is away from the library. And it does not have to be in the Reston Town Center (or one block away, as it is now) at all.

I think the powers under Hudgins want them to be able to shop in town center-go to the Apple Store, perhaps a lunch at Clyde's. So Reston will no longer have a useable public library. I never have difficulty parking there now and I used to years ago as I posted earlier. So discounting the homeless increased usage has usage gone down at the library?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I've been doing some research and dug up an analysis (and suggestions) put forward by the Reston Association. It does appear that the library is being short-changed in the new development plans, as apparently the standard recommendation is for 1 SF per resident, and Reston has 60,000 residents, thus a new library of 60,000 is suggested. In fact, RA suggested building as large as 90,000 sf to accommodate projected population increases.

But the plans call to increase the size from its current 30,000 to only 39,000 - a 30% increase. OTOH, the shelter is projected to increase from 10,000 to 21,000 - more than doubling, and I suppose doubling the number of homeless who will ruin the new, expensive library.

RA made some good suggestions, one of which was to move the shelter to the vacant Cameron Glen Facility, which was formerly a rehab/nursing center. It already has kitchen facilities, sleeping rooms, lounge rooms, etc., and would be a cost-efficient use of existing property. (Also a way to add a but more distance to the library.) Then, the library could be expanded over the land which currently houses the shelter. )I'm guessing that idea was rejected.

Just in case any of my fellow Restonians are interested, here it is. Outdated, but interesting.
https://www.scribd.com/mobile/document/280003003/Reston-Town-Center-North-Redevelopment-RCA-White-Paper-Sept-8-2015

My understanding is that they are going to demolish that former rehab/nursing center building and create a large development there. I have other issues with that project. Namely, a daycare and preschool used to also be housed in that same building. As Reston becomes more densely developed, where is the green space for kids? Where is the long term vision for a community that is inclusive of what children need? But sorry OP, that is a tangential rant on your topic; however, much more thought and consideration and allowance is made for the residents of Embry Rucker and none at all seems to be given to the future children of Reston.

OP here, and your "tangential rant" is indicative of the same problem.....that liberal Fairfax County officials, who cannot spend money fast enough, give less consideration to the needs (and safety) of Reston's children than they do the homeless population. The intent to double the size of the shelter, and leave it adjacent to the library, is an intentional decision to give mentally unstable, dirty, and sometimes aggressive men priority over our children (as well as the adults paying the bill).

[Anonymous]

And they stick homeless families in there! Stupid PC culture and shame on my Democratic Party.

[Anonymous]

Sidebar, but we checked out that Gum Spring library today and it really is beautiful. I don't understand why Fairfax county services suck so much. For a wealthy county, our libraries are really shitty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidebar, but we checked out that Gum Spring library today and it really is beautiful. I don't understand why Fairfax county services suck so much. For a wealthy county, our libraries are really shitty.

As is everything else in that county.

[Anonymous]

I go to the Reston library weekly with my son, and I honestly don't recognize the scourge you all are describing. Are there homeless people there? Yes. But they've never bothered me or my son (or anyone else there when I was there) or caused any disturbance I've seen.

Someone suggested a separate room for children/families-- there actually is a family reading room in the children's section. We use it because my preschooler doesn't quite get inside voice yet and he disturbs others.

When I'm there alone, I've never had to wait for a computer. The bathrooms have been fine. I've seen a police officer walking through several times, which is nice. It's been comparable to other Ffx libraries as well as libraries in the two systems out of state I've used.

Have I just been really lucky? I've lived in Reston for a year.