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| - Is it me, or are now public libraries turning into the Decline and Fall of American Public Spaces?
When I visit the Civic Center Library in Scottsdale, which is only about once a week, since it is a long trip from where I now live, the Carefree area; I first like to do some blog writing at the Beneficial Beans Cafe in the library with a nice relaxing cup of Joe.
I prefer this BB Cafe over the one at the Phoenix Public Library, because the Beneficial Beans at the Downtown PHX Library plays annoying music while one enjoys a smooth espresso.
The Beans Cafe at the CC Library in Scottsdale has well-mannered people working at it, and there is only a silent TV with ESPN All-Hour Sports in the background. But now every time I visit this cafe, the espresso machine is broken. OK, I can deal with a regular cup of Joe.
But the people who pass this cafe spot in the afternoon are a real bizarre bunch. There was a guy in a cowboy hat with writing all over his blue jeans, who was sitting across from me. He next asked me a simple iTunes question, and then proceeded to hit me up for spare change. Another group of young skateboarders, made funny faces at me, while passing me twice within a few minutes.
When I had to use the bathroom, once coming out, the 'security official,' (he was carrying around a walkie-talkie type instrument); a short older man, with short grey hair, wearing a pink shirt and black pants, gave me the watchful eye glare - as if I was an unwelcome visitor. When I first entered the library, I had encountered a police officer publicly dressing down a man sitting in one of the chairs in the main checkout area.
I have noticed some bizarre behavior before at this particular branch - while the Downtown Phoenix Library has more of it - but I think that I am seeing a pattern at the Main urban branch libraries. The Downtown Tucson Library also has issues.
The Downtown Flagstaff Library, I believe, is the only available urban library where one can do some reading and writing with the least amount of distractions and issues.
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