Libraries. Something I actually am an expert - as libraries I've developed library automation software for circulation and catalog, and libraries have been clients. (On my first visit to Tacoma Public Library I noticed that the main branch was next to the city jail. When first meeting the Library Director, I remarked "You sure take fines and overdue books seriously").

The MP library should be able to provide statistics - circulation (borrowing) counts, foot traffic, fines, collection size by month and year; hours open. Through this information we can see trends over time and see if; and relative branch usage.

"...admonished the council for not attending a recent Menlo Park Fire Protection District meeting..."

Although they share the name of the city, the city council has no control over the Menlo Park City School District or the Menlo Park Fire Protection District. The fire divisions of Palo Alto and Redwood City are properly managed under the city councils of those cities. You will never read about those cities imposing eminent domain on their residents to build a fire house.

Palo Alto and Redwood City both control their own zoning and have the good sense to actually provide adequate PF zoning for essential service like libraries and fire stations.

In neither the Downtown Specific Plan or the M2 Plan did the city designate a single Sq inch of new PF space.

I don't think anyone involved thinks that the Menlo Park Fire Protection District is an agency of the City of Menlo Park. While I can't speak for Sheryl Bims, several of us would have liked to see City Council members show up at the fire district board meeting as a sign that they care about what goes on this side of Highway 101. It was heartening to see some concern about finally getting us a decent library over here. I for one will be watching to see what comes of it.

Comparing other municipalities' relationships with their fire departments to this situation is useless. The structures are different and the relationships have to be managed given the structures. If all parties are sincere about listening to and working with each other almost any structure can be made to work.

The fire board recently voted to extend their terms by one year. They could instead have an election for three 5-year terms this November. Electing three people from Belle Haven or East Palo Alto, to the fire board, will this fix this problem.

This is an interesting article, but I can happily say that the answer in my opinion to the headline question is absolutely not. I happen to be the chair of the library commission in Menlo Park right now and serving the Belle Haven community is one of our major goals and passions. The city council is meeting tonight at the Senior Center in Belle Haven in response to residents requests to meet there more often. If you are interested in hearing an update on library plans or would like to include your voice, please come to the meeting tonight. Thanks!

Hours of the Belle Haven library are woefully inadequate to serve the neighborhood. Despite repeated requests to city, hours have been cut rather than increased in last year. If BH community literacy is a priority of MP, hours and service should reflect that. Residents have consistently asked for more hours but nothing has been done.

The ultimate way in which a city demonstrates its priorities is in its zoning/land use decisions. The city's dramatic up zoning of the M2 area without adding a single square inch of new Public Facilities zoning shows exactly what priority the city places on providing for the public needs of Belle Haven.

I was at the meeting and heard the presentation. While I am overall impressed with the plan, I can say from personal experience that the Belle Haven libraries book count and title list is inadequate. The first time I went, I was shocked at the small number of books in certain categories. Where are the current Newberry Award winning books? I don't see anything even close to what is at the main library as far as quality literature. The books are old in year and not in keeping with the latest and voted upon books by teens. Again, the intent is good and I applaud that but it has a long way to go in achieving equity. Expanding the hours would be a good start.