Aurora Public Library

Aurora Public Library – Main Location

Have you been to the Main Library in downtown Aurora lately? This Aurora location doubles as a “warming center” for the homeless and down trodden. On New Years Eve, members of the Aurora Police department were summoned twice to the library to address issues with one of the beneficiaries of this needed service; It seems that this “lost soul” smuggled in a bottle of vodka to somehow take the edge of his existence and celebrate (if you will), the passing of another year.

"There but for the grace of God, go I"

I certainly understand the need for a warm place for people to be able to go this time of year, and I can certainly try and empathize, but in my opinion; a Public place set aside for students (of all ages), and varied educational needs, should not be the place used for such a gathering.

A port in the storm

We have a new Police Station that was completed this past year, the old station would be a fantastic place for a warming house and has at least the same floor space for the communal atmosphere that naturally ensues. The one drawback I foresee in this arrangement would be the need to pay personnel to administer and facilitate this. At the library, it is left to Library staff to maintain order. Police cadets and Community Service Officers could be used to staff the facility and they may be better suited for the task.

Summary

Aurora Illinois is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the state. The problem at the Main Library concerning the use of the facility as a community center for the homeless may very well reflect the size of our city as well as our present, depressed economy.

There is an express need to supply certain creature comforts to the more unfortunate amongst us, but the Public Library facility is not the proper place for this. I am sure that a more appropriate solution can be explored and implemented.