Comotara Branch Library [CLOSED], A Brief Memorial

Comotara, the first US library branch to be located within a supermarket, has closed for good. I had no idea it was closing at all, and it might've taken me awhile to notice that it no longer appears on the main Wichita libraries website...or notice that whenever I search for some series or another, Comotara no longer comes up in the results. Because Comotara is no more, and that, as they say, is that.

Hmph.

I've already stated I believe wholeheartedly that Wichita needs at least one more larger sized library--something in the Alford range would be ideal. The city manager apparently thinks otherwise and recently proposed cutting two more branches--Evergreen and Linwood--to save money. Monies saved would be redirected to roadwork and the hiring of thirty-two new officers and general staff for the Wichita Police Department. Luckily, the mayor has decided that this isn't going to fly--for now--and has nixed plans to close these branches.

Ghost of a sign now gone.

There seems to be a bit of community-shaming going on as a whole, as it is not the first time I've heard (or read) something to the effect of "Well now you have the Advanced Learning Library which should make up for xyz..." We doth protest too much, you see, and have looked the gift horse in the mouth. Of course, not everyone can zip around town to any branch they choose, and even drive nineteen miles out to Mulvane or fifteen miles to Andover just to get exactly the kind of environment needed to write for hours in peace. Like me. People need local branches, folks. It's that simple. Theoretically dumping adrift patrons on the ALL is shortsighted, tone deaf, and out of touch with the services modern libraries provide to the public. If your idea of a library is scores of people driving up in minivans and popping in to check out Fifty Shades of Gray, have I got news for you. Clearly this is what some people really do think, as embarrassing headlines have so eloquently blared, though the recent asshattery has been thankfully debunked.

Anyway, it was after my sister informed me that Evergreen and Linwood were under threat that my subsequent research unearthed the sad news that Comotara had only just closed. Its last day of service was July 13, 2018, just two weeks prior to this writing. Since I did not learn of Comotara's closing until after the fact, I was left to visit it in the aftermath, earlier today, in fact, camera phone in tow. As this blog has previously made clear, I loved the Comotara branch of the Wichita public library system. I am genuinely sad to see it go.

At first glance, you might think it's still there.

It must be stated unequivocally that the closing is due to the supermarket's desire to use the space for something else. Wichita budgeting had nothing to do with it. Comotara resided in that space rent free for over 30 years, which is an incredible gift to the community on Dillons' part. Since this Dillons location is deep in the middle of a sprawling minimall on all sides, there was no room to add space for their new ClickList service (available at other locations). And anyone who has ever parked in that lot knows what a madhouse it is. Space, quite frankly, was at a premium.

Now, the answer to this business decision has been to redirect patrons to the nearest branches, Angelou and Rockwell, adding that patrons can always go to the ALL (should they wish to trek all the way downtown, of course). This is all well and good, keeping in mind that Angelou has the shortest hours of all the remaining branches (they are closed Sunday and Monday) and Rockwell is already incredibly busy for its size. Not an insurmountable burden, but...

...there was something about having that branch in the grocery store, wasn't there? It was convenient and somehow charming on top of it all? It was a fun and funky little thing to have, something different and good-hearted. You might have just turned out your pockets to get groceries for the week, but the Comotara was there to catch a quick browse and pick up a movie or book to borrow...for free. Like a balm on an economic blister. It sucks to lose it.

Alas.

My opinion that Wichita needs more libraries is now more resolute than ever. The fact that Evergreen and Linwood were even, for a moment, considered possible victims to the budgeting ax has convinced me that even that is not enough. There are currently seven Wichita libraries serving a city of 390,000 people (source): Advanced Learning Library (2018), Alford (2003 - 15 yrs old), Evergreen (2002 - 16 yrs old, but in an ancient building), Angelou (1996 - 22 yrs old),  Linwood (1981 - 37 yrs old), Westlink (1981 - 37 yrs old), and Rockwell (1976 - 42 yrs old). There were eight with Comotara, so we've already lost an eighth of public library locations. If Evergreen and Linwood closed, we would lose another 28.6% of coverage. But say we don't, say we keep everything that we have as of this date: Only one of the seven libraries has everything a modern library should have, anyway. Space for people to spend time and do research? ALL, Alford, and Rockwell. Adequate access to electrical outlets or USB ports: ALL, if we are being brutally honest. Alford has some coverage, but not enough. And I love Rockwell, but sharing one powerstrip with the whole East Wichita community in the middle of a bustling room, not really conducive to study or writing! Even self-checkout isn't available at all of the branches...ALL is the only library where you can get full service at the self-serve kiosk (pay fines, etc.). Wichita area libraries are rigged to do the best they can--and they work damn hard to do the most. But is it enough?

You can still drop off books here, though
I'm not sure how long that will last. 

So, with the loss of Comotara (and even the whisper of a threat to two other neighborhood branches) I have to say it: Invest in your whole system, not just your brand new shiny crown jewel. Get all of your branches up to the same level of service and figure out a way to do even more with the space that you have, including updating electrical, and reorganizing or repurposing space so that everyone benefits. As things stand now, Wichita has one brand new, tricked out, shiny diamond of a library, and six branches in need of updating, some far more desperately than others. It's community investment and enrichment and it is worth it.

After you do all that, dear Wichita, you still need to add another library. A big one, with lots of desks and outlets. XOXO, A Patron.

Comotara Branch Library

Okay, I'm just going to say it straight up, like Paula Abdul would advise, in all circumstances, before anything, state your truth and, therefore, in one long breath, I shall state mine: I love this freaking branch. I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

I only went to the Comotara Branch Library because it was convenient--I had no expectations from a library located inside a grocery store (the first in the nation, according to the website--who knew!). It is important to set expectations accordingly, too, since it is such a strange arrangement, one that apparently began all the way back in 1986, though I have no memories of this little library from back then, and honestly hadn't even noticed it during recent visits to this store.

But here's the magic: It always has something. Which is weird since you'd think its shelves would be constantly picked clean by the roving grocery shoppers constantly streaming in and out. Every time I've gone in the DVD selection has been huge and fruitful...not just 30 copies of Aloha like some branches I've encountered (okay, it was only three, but it was a sad sight nonetheless because why would you have one copy of Aloha let alone three?). And it just happened to have the one book I was looking for? Wild. Remember episode one of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Encounter at Farpoint...where the whole station was actually some sort of space jelly that could create whatever people wanted out of thin air? The Comotara branch is like that.

I always feel like a victorious hunter returning home with all of my meaty kills, brandishing all the good finds at my mother like I won a prize or something. For context, it is important to note that mom's apartment only has "antenna TV," which could be much, much worse, really, except for the weekends when the programming does get downright gloomy. We also share the wifi with the apartment complex, so getting Netflix to work is sometimes a frustrating endeavor. Having access to quality DVDs makes things much better, believe me.

I've mentioned this before but must mention it again: Not one scratched or defective DVD yet from the Wichita library system. NOT ONE. If this seems petty/hysterical to repeatedly trumpet, note that my last two years of DVD.com service was about 90% defective. Here's how it usually went: get the DVD, won't play/missing big parts, return for another, get the replacement DVD, repeat, repeat, give up. I'd sometimes look up the ending or whole plot on Google...and sometimes I'd just stop caring. I've sought out missing parts of movies to watch on YouTube or Hulu because of the shamefest that is DVD.com. A service I paid for.

Comotara also has some of the friendliest staff I've met to date: Lots of feedback on DVDs I've checked out (oh you're going to loooove this) and helpful with all questions about stock and procedures. It is important to remember that this is a teeny nook of a library--it only has so much space to serve the community, but it strains its little heart out getting that thankless job done. Basically when you walk in and look left, there it is: the whole branch. There is even a tiny seating area for patrons to peruse materials. On one of of my treks to Comotara, I witnessed what is probably a very common scene: Husband and wife enter the store, she grabs the cart, he says see ya later, she heads off to shop, and he sets himself up in the library, perusing the stacks and reading whatever he finds interesting. (We can always hope they trade off sometimes?)

Dillons has been around since I can remember, though, like most grocery chains, it is regional--not as fancy as some I've witnessed (Hen House in KC being my first thought, OMG OMG luxe), but much nicer than many others (e.g. IGA, Dollar General, C Town, Associated). It's not hep cat, like Trader Joe's, swanky like Citarella, or fauxgreen like Whole Foods, but it is stocked to the gills, well maintained, and smells amenable. They even try to do sushi, which I've never sampled, but I've seen plenty of people picking it up so maybe it's okay? They make a mean blackened catfish, I can tell you that, and they have all the cereals you could want and more. Dillons has been "my" store since I was a kid, so I'm clearly biased (as others would say the same for Piggly Wiggly, Hy Vee, or the legendary Publix).

Part of Comotara's charm is being located right next to the flower department, which is immediately adjacent to the vibrant color wheel of a quality fruit and vegetables section. Pictures from two different days show a cheery, bright environment, capped off with happy balloons and buzzing shoppers. Comotara has a lively, fresh feel that would be hard to reproduce (nyuk nyuk) in a traditional library setting. And while it feels weird to walk out with "unpurchased" items in my hand, every visit has been nothing but a pleasure.

One last thing about Comotara--and really all libraries--specifically in connection with Google reviews: Wield your power with a conscience, people. Don't give a business one star because you don't like their hours. And especially don't pull that petty shit on a publicly funded outfit, like a library, because it is ugly, unnecessary, and makes you into a giant, smelly choad. You know who you are, GOOGLE USER ***** ******. [Name redacted to protect the witless.]