County leaders know there is a parking problem for users of Central Library. What they don’t have yet is a plan to address it.
“We get lots of feedback from users about the inadequacy of parking,” library director Diane Kresh said during a March 5 work session focused on library operations.
The primary concern is the surface lot adjacent to the library. Though ostensibly reserved for visitors at Central Library and Quincy Park from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays, it frequently fills throughout the day.
“The lot is clearly used by people who are not using the library,” Kresh acknowledged.
She said she has discussed the matter with County Manager Mark Schwartz and others in leadership to determine “what, if anything, do we do about it.” The parking situation is exacerbated at the moment by renovation work at Central Library, since contractors require space for their vehicles.
The library also offers a free underground parking garage for patrons, but “not everyone feels comfortable” using it, Kresh said.
Other alternatives include the small gravel county parking lot at the intersection of N. Quincy Street and Washington Blvd or paid options, including metered spaces.
Even as the library’s director, Kresh said she is not immune to parking difficulties.
“I usually arrive around 9 [a.m.] and the lot is completely full — and the library doesn’t open until 10,” she said.
During the discussion, County Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr., said he has received concerns about the roughly 15 electric-vehicle charging stations added to the surface lot.
“I’ve had a number of folks reach out,” he said.
Some argue that the EV spaces remove parking for gas-powered vehicles, while others complain about non-EV cars parking in the wrong spots and preventing electric vehicles from charging.
The spaces are proving popular for EV owners. During a midday visit last Friday, all but two of the 12 for the general public were being used for charging, and one of the two reserved for government vehicles was also in use.
