All will be well at our little piece of heaven
We are fortunate here in our little ‘burb when it comes to controversy and conflict. We don’t have a lot of it and when we do, we tend to work things out without too much ill will.

For the most part we are pretty civil people.  But like any municipality, we will have the occasional little dust-up. New roads, multi-family housing, zoning variances and billboards near county lines will certainly cause some strong feelings and heated discussions. 

On rare occasions disputed matters will end up in the courts. Last year the city was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union after sellers of The Contributor newspaper were cited for not following local ordinances pertaining to street access. Even though ordinances were changed to be friendlier to solicitors and in line with Constitutional principles, the litigation continues.

It would have never occurred to me that the Brentwood Library would find itself in the midst of controversy but, go figure, that stately building on Concord Road is the subject matter of a lawsuit that has been filed by the Williamson County Election Commission.  The election commission wants to use the building for early voting in February for the Presidential Preference Primary. But it seems the library is full to overflowing with activities and it’s just not going to work this time, according to city officials. In addition, the crowds on voting days are disruptive to the library’s operation. 

Brentwood Home Page readers have posted thoughtful comments with opinions on the matter that make good sense. Some feel that the city should, and must, make the library available. Others see that election commission’s action as a heavy handed ploy.

I will admit that I have not become well informed on this matter. I have not researched the law in order to form an opinion as to whether or not the city will end up on the good end of this. So, being true to my commitment to write only “what I know,” I won’t join with either side.

What I will say, though, is that I am a big fan of libraries and I have never known of a finer one than the one we have here in Brentwood.

I am a frequent visitor there. If I’m gone from the house several hours during a weekend, my wife knows where to find me (if she would be inclined to come looking). 

I often go with a particular book in mind, but once there, it does not take long for me to become distracted.  I seldom make it past the new releases that are positioned right inside the door of the main section. 

The periodical room right off the lobby seems to call my name. With the comfortable chairs, huge fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows and virtually every magazine known to mankind, it is a reader’s paradise. If food were served, I could easily set up camp there.

And of course the fact that I can go there and it costs me absolutely nothing (other than the occasional overdue book fine) is the icing on the cake.

Perhaps my favorite thing about this nearby haven is that for which libraries have always been known:  the quiet.  Although there are the occasional cell phone violators, our library provides a perfect atmosphere for quiet contemplation.

This little firestorm over voting should be brief since a hearing is set for January 19th and early voting begins in a few weeks.  My gut tells me that is a good thing. Perhaps my perception of the library is a bit on the idyllic side, but having it as the subject of a lawsuit doesn’t sit right with me.

As a city owned building, supported by tax dollars, I understand that it can’t be completely immune from politics but, as much as possible, I believe it should be.

So it is my hope that this dispute has a short life. If the library continues to be a voting location, I am sure the staff and patrons can adjust. If not, I trust the election commission will find a suitable alternate location. I am confident that both education and democracy will continue unhindered.

Etched into the outside wall of the Brentwood Library, just to the right of the entrance, is a quote from Archibald MacLeish, a 19th century American poet, writer and Librarian of Congress:

What is more important in a library than anything else – Than everything else – is that it exists.

Amen to that.

Bob McKinney is a 14-year Brentwood resident, husband of one, father of three, father-in-law of one and owner of one dog. E-mail him at bmac1018@yahoo.com. Click here to read his recent columns.