Why don’t we reduce operational costs by working with UTC or Hamilton County Schools?
Public schools and public libraries have been natural partners with very different roles to play in public education since the 1830s. Where the public library must be open to and convenient to everyone, public schools, in their role as caretakers of children, must have absolute control over who comes in contact with them on school grounds. Where one is designed to make access to all as easy and as friendly as possible, the other is designed to maintain control and isolate the kids from outside influences on school grounds. No one who is not associated with someone in school, in school themselves, or working in the school has any reason to be there. As a result, despite their long history as partners, few if any public libraries in public schools survived or effectively served their broader community. In addition, it is much more expensive to keep a school building open for one small area or to staff a library after school hours than it is to staff and provide security for a separate bu
