Library Parking
From PPL Comments
- "The upper parking lot needs to be re-striped and should be double-striped so that cars will be more likely to park at appropriate distances from each other. Also spaces should be available for extra long and wide pick-ups and SUVs."
Both parking lots were re-striped in June. Making spaces available for oversize vehicles would reduce the total number of spaces available to library patrons. We ask folks with vehicles that don’t fit to use on-street parking.
- "Something must be done about library parking. Perhaps there could be some 1-hour parking - not just 2-hour."
- "Please change parking to a limit of ONE hour. Too often, there are no spaces available in either lot. Thanks"
- "Today there were no parking places left - I had to wait for one to open up. Are there plans to increase parking in the future?"
I wish nobody had trouble finding parking downtown, and doubt that will ever be the case.
The two Downtown Library lots offer over sixty parking spaces. That number includes six handicap spaces, two motorcycle spaces, and space for four cars in the 15-minute zone directly in front of the Goodwin Street entrance. Last year 22 all-day parking spaces were added on Marina Street across from the library. Although library spaces have a 2-hour limit, there are over 150 parking spaces within one block of the library, most of them with no time limit. The library reserves the spaces in the two lots for our customers, and asks staff to use on-street parking to ensure there is as much parking as possible available.
If you find looking for downtown parking too aggravating, consider using Prescott Gateway Branch Library. Parking is virtually unlimited at the Gateway Mall, and you can do practically everything at the branch you can do at the main library.
If you’re returning library materials, there’s no need do park for the two drive-by book returns at the Downtown Library. Other book returns are conveniently located all over town, are suitable for all library materials, and are emptied every day except Sunday.
Our “micro-branch” at the Community Center on Rosser has four public computers, magazines and newspapers, a book return, 24/7 book pickup lockers and a “hotline” to the friendly staff at the Downtown Library.
One-hour parking is in interesting idea. Most library programs and community meetings last at least an hour, and computer users are allowed 60 minutes a day on library computers. My guess is one–hour parking would infuriate more people than it would please! And, for folks with quick library needs – picking up an item from the Reserve shelves, picking up a child, etc. – the 15-minute zone almost always has space available.
City sales tax revenues account for most of your library’s budget. As you know, these numbers are down significantly from last year. If/when the local economy turns around, one way to increase parking availability would be to increase hours at the Downtown Library. Another way would be construction of a large Prescott Public Library branch in north Prescott. Although a north Prescott branch is in our five-year plan, it would need to be funded by library impact fees. With construction of new homes at a virtual standstill, these are not accumulating as they have in years past.
Although parking has been and may continue to be a problem to some degree in the future, we're lucky it does not keep people from using and enjoying the library. Over 1,000 people visit the Downtown Library every day.
Contents |
