Library Commission meeting

interior San Francisco Main Library

Last night, there was a Library Commission meeting at the main library and the Excelsior Beautification Committee asked the selected artists to talk about our pieces and the importance of having art in the neighborhood.  I heard that these meetings could be a little strange because of the people who seem to be against everything proposed by neighborhood groups and the Commission.  Well, I saw first hand how bizarre a couple of people were in terms of their arguments if you could call them that.  When it came to the presentation for greening and remodeling the exterior of the Excelsior Library by the project manager and chief branch librarian, I was wondering what argument could these two people have against such a lovely idea?  The more bizarre person stated as his mantra in previous public comments during the meeting (we are given 3 minutes to comment) "stop the racism, stop the ignorance, do not give money to the Friends of the Library, do not accept money from the Friends of the Library".   It sounded like both contrarians felt that not enough public notice was given and that at least one person wanted the "graphics".  Another of the arguments was that  it was unfair to let the a small group of people ie: the residents of the Excelsior district decide on the fate of the exterior of their library.  He made the comparison that it would be unfair for the exterior of City Hall to be decided by people who lived a 3 block radius from City Hall.  There were other arguments but what was sorely missing was a proposal or an idea by either of them.  It seems that they have no interest in improving the library system and their only goal is to object to whatever is put forth.   A tremendous waste of time and energy on their part...so non-productive!

I gave my 3 minute public comment which included where I worked, that I am a member of the Friends of the Library, how I like that the work will be temporary (5 years) because I like that it has an ephemeral nature, about my painting, and the importance of having public art.  Other residents of the Excelsior spoke lovingly about the project.   In the end, the commissioners thought it was a "no brainer" and the project now moves forward for review by the San Francisco Art Commission.