The Observation Deck

Oh my, class and elegance to the end. I recall hearing the definition of a good diplomat or statesman is someone who can in essence tell you to go to hell and have you look forward to taking the trip.
I just wonder if those on the receiving end of this letter were capable of understanding that fastball that just passed them by?
Stan Austin

At a party this past weekend down at Clifton Beach I heard naming the reading room after Mr. Warren is a real possibility and could be announced soon.

I counted to 100 before responding to this one.
I am a frequent visitor to the Library and have been forever. I have always supported it and always will. This world needs more libraries and fewer Game Stops.
The original version felt like Grandma's attic. This new thing feels like Im going to Dick Cheneys' house.
I think some people including Mr Warren wanted to build a shrine to their own legacy. What we got is a building thats too big and too empty and too "Grand"
I thought Ken Warren did a good job. His name is already in bronze at the entrance. Please lets keep peoples names off the "Grand" reading room
In fact lets just get that "Grand" word off the wall alltogether.
Sorry just my $.02

Dee,
Thanks for responding.... I talked to Ken Warren after the new library opened about the shelves.... Our thoughts were that we had a library where it was so full that there was no place to put new info. Now we have the exciting prospect of filling a library with new wonders without thinking, " but where are we going to put it?" This library was planned for Lakewood's future.
jon

Dee Martinez wrote:I counted to 100 before responding to this one.

Sorry just my $.02

Dee

Great restraint from attacking Ken.

FOR THE RECORD - Ken Warren said, "I do not want any part of the library named after
me. It was the city that built it, and the community should not name it."

This thread has very little to do with going against Ken's wishes. But much more to do with
why a civic leader(I know you would never agree with that), went from LOVING a city so
much that he wrote and worked harder than most at attracting people and businesses
to this city say enough! GIVE UP and LEAVE?

As to the Library being a monument to Ken, or a place to fill, borders on utter nonsense. It
was a monument to the city of Lakewood for being Metropolitan enough to reach beyond
and create a living functioning statement to Lakewood's dedication to education, and learning.

Something that would reach outside of Lakewood and attract people that will be productive
citizens in a city he loved and was looking forward to retiring in, about ten years from now.
It has done that and more.

One of the reasons Ken, and the library won so many awards was his dedication to online
information, books and periodicals, and that the library of the future would need to be
reconfigurable to downsize on numbers of shelves, while still being the intellectual center
of a community that could serve the many civic groups that to turn it for various needs.

FWIW


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My opinion is that the only person who can accurately articulate why Ken Warren left is Ken Warren.

if it would help, I posted Ken's resignation letter on the previous page.

Jill Jusko wrote:My opinion is that the only person who can accurately articulate why Ken Warren left is Ken Warren.

Jill


I would agree.



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Dee Martinez wrote:I counted to 100 before responding to this one.
I am a frequent visitor to the Library and have been forever. I have always supported it and always will. This world needs more libraries and fewer Game Stops.
The original version felt like Grandma's attic. This new thing feels like Im going to Dick Cheneys' house.
I think some people including Mr Warren wanted to build a shrine to their own legacy. What we got is a building thats too big and too empty and too "Grand"
I thought Ken Warren did a good job. His name is already in bronze at the entrance. Please lets keep peoples names off the "Grand" reading room
In fact lets just get that "Grand" word off the wall alltogether.
Sorry just my $.02

Dee,
I do agree we need more libraries and fewer game stops, but don't agree that our library is too grand. When I was a child, the library was my favorite place. Books and the library got me through childhood, moving around often and never feelling like I fit in. I escaped in books and spent a large part of my spare time being part of the different worlds they brought me to. True, I did not need a grand library, just worn and used books.

But, what our grand library in Lakewood stands for is so much more than books. With the most welcoming children's room, including their own computer room, a computer room for adults that helped get me through grad school and is always full, a tutoring room, rooms for entertainers and more, the books are just part of magic. Our library stands for what Lakewood stands for-the children, the community, progression. Instead of selling out to big chain stores, we have a magnificent building in the heart of Lakewood that has a full parking lot every time I go. In the day and age of video games and cable tv where there aren't a lot of places for kids to go, this library welcomes every one of them. Just entering the library transports you to a place of grand elegance, without even opening up the fairy tale book. But more importantly it displays Lakewood's priorities in a world with mixed up priorities. Anyone coming from another town is impressed with it, and people who are house shopping will surely consider Lakewood based on the priorities of the schools and library. I think all who worked on it have done Lakewood proud with its grandness.

The "wrecking crew" from TAOOTOOTASC, check out the newest church around town.




On the streets like always Lakewood's former Library Director.


Edwin shows me his stuff.


Edwin says goodbye to Ken and Dan then goes back in the cage to
dance.


Edwin from "Edwin Scissors Hands" dancing in the cage and juggling
a real plug in working set of electric hair shears!

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