Might There Never Be A State-Of-The-Art Library At Marymount?

Eight years ago, the newly opened Des Moines Area Community College campus in West Des Moines opened its doors to students.

Now there are six sites where the Des Moines Community College opens its doors of higher learning to students, but there are no physical doors for any library anywhere to be found.

The Community College has no 'brick and mortar' library at all.

So when Marymount representatives state that they want to build a "state-of-the-art library" under the guidelines of "The Marymount Plan" I hope we all have now learned a couple of important points.

First, the exact same plans contained in The Marymount Plan have already been approved of for the state-of-the-art library that can legally be constructed using the new ordinances already passed by The Marymont College Facilities Expansion Project.

Second, what is so very 'state-of-the-art' when the new state of technology and a vastly greater ability to research and receive resource material now comes on-line, without any real need for a brick and mortar library?

There are many educated people in our city that believe that should Measure P pass and the campus specific plan be approved by voters, there can be inclusions within the wording to allow Marymount's representatives to change some of the scope and construction items that are carried in The Marymount Plan.

It can now also be imagined that should Marymount College officials find voter approval of The Marymount Plan and Judge Yaffe doesn't make any rulings that place the language and possible voting date into question, there is a possibility that no physical 'brick and mortar' library would ever be built at the campus.

I assert something that has still yet to be repudiated or refuted by Marymount's President, Dr. Michael Brophy that, should Measure P fail and no other approval for on campus student housing be allowed at Marymount College in the forseeable future, nothing, including a 'brick and mortar' library would be built on the campus.

Please, let us all acknowledge that a "state-of-the-art library" for the Marymount campus has already been approved within the guidelines of The Marymount College Facilities Expansion Project and that Marymount officials may never build any new library building, no matter what the vote this coming November reveals.