Comments on: Walmart closes, Community builds a giant library http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 21:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: EcoAdvocate http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1470085 EcoAdvocate Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1470085 The problems are  the location, generally, and the extreme size of the structures. I believe most Mal*Warts are not close to residences, but are part of urban sprawl--so it may not be the best move to put a library where no one lives, where everyone has to drive their own steel bubble to get to.  Putting libraries in communities, around where people live, is a much better plan. Even if the library is smaller it just helps to make the community a more walkable, bikeable place. The problems are  the location, generally, and the extreme size of the structures. I believe most Mal*Warts are not close to residences, but are part of urban sprawl–so it may not be the best move to put a library where no one lives, where everyone has to drive their own steel bubble to get to. 

Putting libraries in communities, around where people live, is a much better plan. Even if the library is smaller it just helps to make the community a more walkable, bikeable place.

]]> By: EcoAdvocate http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1470081 EcoAdvocate Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1470081 Mal*Wart, the world's LARGEST holder of vacant property.  Always Low Wages. Always Mal*Wart. Mal*Wart, the world’s LARGEST holder of vacant property. 

Always Low Wages. Always Mal*Wart.

]]> By: Wizard Prang http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1469982 Wizard Prang Sat, 07 Jul 2012 11:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1469982 A lot of variations on  a theme of  "Wal-Mart sucks". Hope you folks don't shop there... ..<!-- Let's not forget that all this kerfuffle has come about because a CEO expressed an opinion - an opinion that he is apparently not allowed to have.... So not supporting gay marriage = homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up. --> A lot of variations on  a theme of  “Wal-Mart sucks”.

Hope you folks don’t shop there…
..

]]> By: Wizard Prang http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1469980 Wizard Prang Sat, 07 Jul 2012 11:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1469980  Define "reasonable". Then sell your house.  Define “reasonable”. Then sell your house.

]]> By: Joshua Mcwhorter http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1469723 Joshua Mcwhorter Sat, 07 Jul 2012 02:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1469723 Damn I was hoping it had failed. That would have made this Article a double win. Damn I was hoping it had failed. That would have made this Article a double win.

]]> By: Hybrid Forge http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1469167 Hybrid Forge Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1469167 A great way to give patrons access to all those resources from their fingertips, anywhere, anytime is a library app. See what Fayetteville and Dallas Public Library did. Fayetteville: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fayetteville-public-ilibrary/id417091948?mt=8 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2011/02/25/fayetteville-public-library-releases-an-iphone-ipad-app/ Dallas: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dallas-public-ilibrary-hd/id419654907?mt=8 http://dallaslibrary2.org/blogs/interim/2011/03/new-dpl-app-for-ipad-and-iphone/ A great way to give patrons access to all those resources from their fingertips, anywhere, anytime is a library app. See what Fayetteville and Dallas Public Library did.

Fayetteville:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fayetteville-public-ilibrary/id417091948?mt=8

http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2011/02/25/fayetteville-public-library-releases-an-iphone-ipad-app/

Dallas:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dallas-public-ilibrary-hd/id419654907?mt=8

http://dallaslibrary2.org/blogs/interim/2011/03/new-dpl-app-for-ipad-and-iphone/

]]> By: Erin Winslow http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1469016 Erin Winslow Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1469016 Or some type of Arts Center.  I am imagine a REALLY big jam session going on all day & all night at one of these places!!! :-)  Or some type of Arts Center.  I am imagine a REALLY big jam session going on all day & all night at one of these places!!! :-) 

]]> By: margohidvegi http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468919 margohidvegi Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468919 Books have a natural noise abatement effect, especially the more interesting ones. {;>9 Books have a natural noise abatement effect, especially the more interesting ones. {;>9

]]> By: margohidvegi http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468917 margohidvegi Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468917 Too bad about the update. Otherwise, a great development! Too bad about the update. Otherwise, a great development!

]]> By: Jonathan Thomas http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468842 Jonathan Thomas Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468842 What everyone is ignoring is that this is a problem all over the country. Wal-mart 'outgrows' it's buildings then builds new Super Wal-marts down the street. Often abandoning their old stores with restrictive covenants so that future tenants can't compete with Wal-mart (and since Wal-mart sells everything, it's hard not to compete). Usually Wal-mart's are anchors in strip malls and when Wal-mart leaves, even if it's down the street, it kills the entire strip mall, leaving abandoned hulks in towns across America. So, the only thing it could practically be turned into is a library. What everyone is ignoring is that this is a problem all over the country. Wal-mart ‘outgrows’ it’s buildings then builds new Super Wal-marts down the street. Often abandoning their old stores with restrictive covenants so that future tenants can’t compete with Wal-mart (and since Wal-mart sells everything, it’s hard not to compete). Usually Wal-mart’s are anchors in strip malls and when Wal-mart leaves, even if it’s down the street, it kills the entire strip mall, leaving abandoned hulks in towns across America. So, the only thing it could practically be turned into is a library.

]]> By: Jay Garcia http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468677 Jay Garcia Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468677 Nice to see something good about you Texas. Nice to see something good about you Texas.

]]> By: ab167 http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468674 ab167 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468674 This was proposed to happen at the abandoned Borders in the town just left. I believe it is in the works. Seems like an upgrade to me, especially considering it is a town of over 100K people and only a single library branch. This was proposed to happen at the abandoned Borders in the town just left. I believe it is in the works. Seems like an upgrade to me, especially considering it is a town of over 100K people and only a single library branch.

]]> By: Halloween_Jack http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468603 Halloween_Jack Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468603  One of the problems with repurposing existing buildings as libraries if they have a collection of any great size is that most commercial buildings aren't built to library specs--all the accumulated weight of all that paper is significant, and if it's designed for offices the floors can't handle the load. Big-box retail stores may be strong enough, though, and you'll notice from the photo above that they have relatively short shelves, well-spaced over the floor. I wonder if there's any sort of basement level.  One of the problems with repurposing existing buildings as libraries if they have a collection of any great size is that most commercial buildings aren’t built to library specs–all the accumulated weight of all that paper is significant, and if it’s designed for offices the floors can’t handle the load. Big-box retail stores may be strong enough, though, and you’ll notice from the photo above that they have relatively short shelves, well-spaced over the floor. I wonder if there’s any sort of basement level.

]]> By: Anon Kopimi http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468537 Anon Kopimi Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468537  WalMart may not have failed itself, but it sure FAILED to enrich the people of McAllen.  WalMart may not have failed itself, but it sure FAILED to enrich the people of McAllen.

]]> By: Marc Mielke http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468399 Marc Mielke Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468399 Some of the NON-abandoned K-Marts I've been to remind me of dead husks of what used to be functional stores -- product placed more or less randomly in a sort of parody of a department store.  Some of the NON-abandoned K-Marts I’ve been to remind me of dead husks of what used to be functional stores — product placed more or less randomly in a sort of parody of a department store. 

]]> By: bazzargh http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468385 bazzargh Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468385 I'm curious about the effect of the architecture, given this is a 'counter-move against violence'. They've left the shelf height low, so that the librarian can see if anyone acts out; but what about sound? This is a very open space with metallic surfaces, it looks like the smallest noise would carry. Is this more conducive to people keeping it down in a library, as opposed to say, hanging heavy drapes from those pipes to deaden the noise? I’m curious about the effect of the architecture, given this is a ‘counter-move against violence’. They’ve left the shelf height low, so that the librarian can see if anyone acts out; but what about sound? This is a very open space with metallic surfaces, it looks like the smallest noise would carry. Is this more conducive to people keeping it down in a library, as opposed to say, hanging heavy drapes from those pipes to deaden the noise?

]]> By: Ms. Anne Thrope http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468369 Ms. Anne Thrope Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468369 Nothing new. Several years ago when WalMart in Tifton, GA, moved into a bigger store 5 miles away, they left an empty shell standing.  When the local library expanded later, they moved into the ex-WalMart shell temporarily.  It was a great space, strangely quiet, but with these creepy smiley faces on the walls.  I thought at the time it was a marvelous use of the space.  Our library should have done that instead of sinking $10Million +++ into a building to house library director Kathryn Ames' ego.  Honestly, with all the empty shells in the Athens, GA, we could have done a lot better with a lot less money and spread out services at the same time.  What a great way to go in this time of belt tightening. Nothing new. Several years ago when WalMart in Tifton, GA, moved into a bigger store 5 miles away, they left an empty shell standing.  When the local library expanded later, they moved into the ex-WalMart shell temporarily.  It was a great space, strangely quiet, but with these creepy smiley faces on the walls.  I thought at the time it was a marvelous use of the space.  Our library should have done that instead of sinking $10Million +++ into a building to house library director Kathryn Ames’ ego.  Honestly, with all the empty shells in the Athens, GA, we could have done a lot better with a lot less money and spread out services at the same time.  What a great way to go in this time of belt tightening.

]]> By: Incipient Madness http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468358 Incipient Madness Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468358  IIRC, most of the eastern border counties are solid Democrat districts. Quick check of the map tells me all but the two smallest border counties went for Obama in 2008.  IIRC, most of the eastern border counties are solid Democrat districts. Quick check of the map tells me all but the two smallest border counties went for Obama in 2008.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468211 Boundegar Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468211 It's cost-effective, reduces violence, and benefits poor children?  How did Republicans ever allow this? It’s cost-effective, reduces violence, and benefits poor children?  How did Republicans ever allow this?

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468106 AnthonyC Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468106 Walmarts moving into bigger locations and sell off otherwise useless buildings to local government? Why yes, I think you probably can. Walmarts moving into bigger locations and sell off otherwise useless buildings to local government? Why yes, I think you probably can.

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468103 AnthonyC Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468103 I agree that governments don't run like corporations, but what is the relevant difference in this case? Something in the corporate tax code? I agree that governments don’t run like corporations, but what is the relevant difference in this case? Something in the corporate tax code?

]]> By: blueelm http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468089 blueelm Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468089 Correction: Cheaper for a corporation. Governments don't run like corporations, no matter what presidential hopefuls say. Correction: Cheaper for a corporation. Governments don’t run like corporations, no matter what presidential hopefuls say.

]]> By: DAVID http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468090 DAVID Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468090  Charlie, I live in McAllen and you are correct. The newer, bigger WalMart is about a block away from the old one. However, the new library is AWESOME! We also have an art incubator that consists of a few re-purposed office buildings near the old library location where artists and makers can rent space.  Charlie, I live in McAllen and you are correct. The newer, bigger WalMart is about a block away from the old one. However, the new library is AWESOME! We also have an art incubator that consists of a few re-purposed office buildings near the old library location where artists and makers can rent space.

]]> By: ♡ Malcolm Jackson http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468068 ♡ Malcolm Jackson Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468068 Yay this is FANTASTIC!!  Yay this is FANTASTIC!! 

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468066 AnthonyC Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468066 "It's cheaper to build a new building than repair an existing one." If that were actually true, then why would the community move into and repurpose an abandoned one instead of building its own library? “It’s cheaper to build a new building than repair an existing one.”

If that were actually true, then why would the community move into and repurpose an abandoned one instead of building its own library?

]]> By: Navin_Johnson http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468060 Navin_Johnson Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468060 Aisles and aisles of copies of Rick Perry's "Fed Up!", and The Bible. j/k Texas. It's nice to see something good about you in the news for once. Arizona and Florida will have to take up the WTF?! slack for the day. Aisles and aisles of copies of Rick Perry’s “Fed Up!”, and The Bible.

j/k Texas. It’s nice to see something good about you in the news for once. Arizona and Florida will have to take up the WTF?! slack for the day.

]]> By: Navin_Johnson http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468059 Navin_Johnson Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468059 Considering that they so often cajole city officials into giving them huge tax breaks and almost free infrastructure upgrades for their new locations, they probably should sell their abandoned locations for a reasonable amount. Considering that they so often cajole city officials into giving them huge tax breaks and almost free infrastructure upgrades for their new locations, they probably should sell their abandoned locations for a reasonable amount.

]]> By: Celestial Crabs Descending http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468038 Celestial Crabs Descending Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468038 Abandoned Kmarts could be turned into Zombie Apocalypse Training Centers! Sure, people laugh now, but when the apocalypse actually happens, they'll be glad all those Kmarts went out of business and got converted to better purposes. Abandoned Kmarts could be turned into Zombie Apocalypse Training Centers! Sure, people laugh now, but when the apocalypse actually happens, they’ll be glad all those Kmarts went out of business and got converted to better purposes.

]]> By: MrHarley http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468024 MrHarley Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468024  Yeah and sold the old one to McAllen for a very reasonable $5M in 2007  Yeah and sold the old one to McAllen for a very reasonable $5M in 2007

]]> By: Sean Mangan http://boingboing.net/2012/07/05/walmart-closes-community-buil.html#comment-1468025 Sean Mangan Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169426#comment-1468025 Citation needed (but also "liked"). Citation needed (but also “liked”).

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