Controversy About City’s Closing of ‘Little Free Library’ Continues To Grow

Since the Metropolitan Planning Commission mandated the closing of 'The Little Free Library' on Wilkinson about two weeks ago, the controversy regarding 'overreach' by city government continues to grow.

In his most recent column on Forward-now.com, Marion Marks voices this opinion:

"On the strength of a single complaint, Shreveport’s Metropolitan Planning Commission shut down a private box where people can donate and pick up books and has said it would crack down on others if someone issues a complaint. The problem, city officials say, is that libraries are only allowed in commercial zones."

Marks continues:

"Seriously, Shreveporters, what’s the problem here? How could the possible harm outweigh the benefit of making it easier for citizens to have access to books? Do they attract crowds, vandals, drunks, or cause parking nightmares or traffic jams, like the bars and big-box stores and strip malls that generally occupy zoning officials’ minds? Are they a blight on the landscape...?"

Though currently closed, the final decision regarding the Wilkinson "Little Free Library" remains up in the air, and may, in fact, end up being decided by the Shreveport City Council.

To read all of Marion Marks column about the future of "The Little Free Library", JUST CLICK HERE!