Fond Memories of Veterans Park Library

I have lived in Redondo Beach for the last 31 years, ever since I was a small child, during which time one of my favorite, chief pleasures and joys has been going to the library at Veterans Park. I have many fond memories over many, many years of purposefully walking from my home along the oceanfront to the library, where I could in beautiful, peaceful, natural surroundings look up a tidbit of information I needed or wanted to know, check out books and sit in the park and read, do research or homework, write, and blissfully linger reading magazines while I watched the sea, the sea gulls and the sailboats. I could then get more exercise walking home along the beach feeling buoyant, and spiritually and intellectually fulfilled.

What a happy, lovely, wonderful, special experience this long-term relationship with this particular library has been for me. It upsets me greatly that anyone could be possibly plotting to deprive me, the rest of the community and future generations of continuing this special relationship.

Just because the charming building has been determined to need some structural fixing up, which it will receive, is no reason or excuse to change the nature of its contents. Granted the population and knowledge have exploded, creating the need for more space. Fine, let’s have a more modern, urbanized, bigger, hustle-bustle type library like some other cities have. But let’s not leave behind the heart and soul, the traditional, small-town, charming unique character of this beautiful city by the sea by permanently altering and taking away what has meant so very much and continues to mean so much to so many people, that is, the Veterans Park Library.

I understand that preserving the existence of the building is not in question. I also understand that the park is not going to be developed. Great, I am very happy about these two things. But I will not be ecstatic unless the use as a library is also preserved.

I have heard of other proposed uses, but none of them compare to the library. Although I live near the current historical museum, I have gone there only once. The library, on the other hand, is a resource one can look forward to returning to often. The library does not serve a narrow, special interest group, such as a senior citizen center (which already has space at the park). No, the library caters to the whole community, people of all ages from the very young to the very old, and people of diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests.

While I love art, I would not want to see the use of the building converted solely to be an art museum. Fine, hang some paintings on the walls--there have been art exhibits in the past, which I have admired at the library. But let’s not take away the main depth and breadth, the books, magazines, newspapers, and audiovisuals which really define the building and have kept me coming back for more, often, and for long, fruitful stays.

I would like to see the existing library at Veterans Park remain a library. While the new main library on Pacific Coast Highway might be more centrally located within the city overall, South Redondo residents still need a library that is conveniently close and accessible to their neighborhood. The Veterans Park Library is a close walk, bike ride, or drive away for most South Redondo residents.

I believe that my lifelong patronage of this particular library helped to instill in me a lifelong love of learning. The lofty library by the sea is a statement of values, a tribute to the value we place on education. The library in the park is a place where beautiful, peaceful nature is coupled with learning and contemplation, a very happy marriage. Please, let’s not dissolve this partnership.

LINDA KAPLAN

Redondo Beach