Community Commentary -- Marian Bergeson

I would like to commend the Newport-Mesa Unified school board, the

Newport Beach City Council and library board of trustees in developing

the proposal for a new Mariners library (“Mariners library supporters

meet goal,” Thursday). A great deal of time and effort has been given to

addressing educational needs while satisfying children’s safety concerns.

It is encouraging to see this effective, working relationship exist

between our elected and governing bodies.

As someone who was instrumental in the building of the original

library facility, I initially questioned the benefits of rebuilding the

Mariners library; it was only after exploring the proposed plan and

current resources available that I recognized that this is the wise and

appropriate course of action.

Presently, many children have to go to the Central Library in order to

obtain important educational information and recreational reading. While

that is a wonderful facility, it is not always easy for children who live

on this side of the bay to gain access.

Mariners library also has serious parking problems with strong

competition between recreation and sports activities in the adjacent

park. This presents dangerous safety problems with children crossing the

street often between double-parked cars.

This library facility is beyond renovation because of newer code

requirements, lack of infrastructure for electronic and audiovisual use

and probable asbestos removal. Therefore, rebuilding is the only

realistic solution. Rebuilding in a location that is better suited for

access for schoolchildren, parents and teachers.

Most importantly, our school library is not equipped for the optimum

educational advantages the children of our community deserve. The need

for state-of-the-art equipment and materials aligned with new academic

standards is obvious and is dependent upon adequate infrastructure.

Joint-use makes sense when it can optimize facility usage while being

more cost effective and secure in its access to student population during

the school day. This is the rationale behind the state-bonding program.

I am dismayed at the accusations that adults (predators) will have

access to vulnerable children during the school day under this proposed

plan. In reality, the security is far better than we have at the present

time in either facility. As a parent and a grandparent, safety is of

paramount importance to me, as it is to all parents.

It is regretful that we live in an era when bad things happen in just

about every place where children are present. With our fears, however, we

must not sacrifice the long-term advantages of a strong foundation in

academic and literacy development. As a community, we have long

recognized that education and public safety are our highest priorities.

This application addresses both. We owe this to our students, parents,

teachers and all of those that are committed to the betterment of coming

generations.

* MARIAN BERGESON is the former California Secretary of Education,

former member of the state Board of Education and a Newport Beach parent

and grandparent.