Library closure

Spoke in favor of closing the library, calling it a matter of convenience rather than access given nearby libraries, and urging the Commission to make the math work.

Opposed paying twice for library services, noting county libraries are within a few miles; called it a budget issue, not a popularity contest.

Urged keeping both the library and fireworks, saying they've been part of Altamonte his whole life.

An 86-year-old, 60-year resident called the library 'a little gem' and noted many friends have no computers at home.

Said the 2024 tax increase was promised to save the library and asked whether Mayor Bates wants her legacy capped by a library closure; questioned $4.1 million for Crane Rides.

Told how librarians turned her Dog Man-only son into a chapter-book reader; said the library is personal, not redundant, and asked the Commission to exhaust alternatives.

A teen who helped start the TikTok campaign; called the library her second home and safe creative space.

A 12-year-old TikTok campaign creator said 1,000 residents signed her petition and urged protecting the library as a free, equal-access space.

Called for cutting the $2M+ Crane Rides and questioning millions going into Eastmonte Park turf while the library closes.

Said the 2024 tax increase was sold as saving the library, revealed the Maltbie deed requires public use of the property, and questioned where the $4.5 million went.

A nine-year-old who has read 4,000 books asked the Commission not to shut down the library her mom can't easily replace with distant branches.

Presented state data showing a 55% six-year increase in book checkouts and 175% increase in program attendance, countering usage-decline claims; cited O'Malley's 'bait and switch' comment.

A preschool teacher who depends on the library's books and librarian help for early literacy instruction.

A mayoral candidate who traced Maltbie's civic legacy and urged officials to build for the future rather than chip away at what others built.

Said the library helped her print a resume that landed her a job, and it's walkable in a way county branches aren't.

Found local history at the library he couldn't find online; said print research beats the internet for local information.

Happy to 'pay twice' for library services, defended librarians' research skills, and asked what the plan is for services after closure — noting commissioners haven't seen a plan.

Suggested reciprocal library cards with Maitland, Winter Park and Orange County; warned Seminole County is cutting library hours and noted the office-space vacancy rate.

Twelve librarians would lose jobs; asked the Commission to reject any budget closing the library and to add citizen oversight of the budget process.

Said the library was her second home for 18 months and made her master's degree possible; pleaded to keep it open.

Said the library is accessibility, not redundancy, and questioned millions going to Eastmonte turf and a Babe Ruth tournament while the library is cut.

A 47-year patron who presented petitions totaling nearly 2,500 signatures against closure across two petitions.

Asked for actual net-savings calculations and time for residents to develop a sustainable alternative with the city's budget team.

A third-time speaker who grew up at the library; warned closure can't be undone and asked where the 2024 tax money went.

A Spring Lake Elementary teacher said homeless students and kids without computers rely on the library.

A Texas transplant who drives from Winter Springs for the library's personal service; said learning is forever, sports is temporary.

Called the library a civic engagement hub and suggested cutting surveillance camera funding before touching the library budget.

Cited the national literacy crisis — only one in three fourth-graders reads at grade level — and called the library an investment, not an expense.

A 46-year teacher who called the public library teachers' lifeline for mentor texts and research materials.

A 1970 resident whose wife built the library's historical archives; initially inclined to close it but changed his mind after hearing testimony.

The main opponent: said Altamonte already pays ~$546,000 to the county library system, most big cities don't run municipal libraries, and continuing duplication is 'financial malfeasance'; proposed cutting the millage to 3.6.

A father and activist who said closing the library erodes trust while the city splurges on Axon surveillance contracts.

A resident since 1983 who called the library 'a living, breathing, flourishing organism' and said it would be a shame to kill it.

Appealed directly to Mayor Bates and Commissioner Reece, invoking the Dudley Bates plaque on the library and the 2024 'bait and switch'.

Has barely used the library in 50 years but her son and great-grandson do; asked for a plan and told commissioners to vote the way the people want.

Said budget graphs are misleading and moving story time to Westmonte Rec Center is unsustainable — staff there said they're already packed.

A former Lake Brantley English teacher who confirmed the school gutted its library — for many students the city library is their only resource.

Said libraries literally saved her life as a safe third space when her home wasn't safe, providing Wi-Fi, resume printing and job resources.

A resident since 1968 who homeschooled her son with library help and printed the business proposals that launched her construction company there.

A mother of young kids who drives past a closer county branch for this library's programs, computers and board games.

A 25-year resident grateful for librarian help; suggested keeping it open even three days a week if needed.

Has been working with nonprofits and donors on alternatives and asked the Commission for a little more time to find a solution; also urged protecting home rule against Amendment 3.

A library supporter from two years ago, she asked why the tax increase meant to save the library ran out and urged the commission to reject any budget without the library.

A young library user who spoke two years ago as well, she described the library's importance for all ages and asked the commission to keep it open.

Argued digital access doesn't replace physical accessibility and pressed for alternatives, partnerships, and transparency about the budget priorities.

A new resident shocked by both issues, she detailed a documented case of an officer misusing Flock to track an ex-girlfriend.

Compared the situation to dark historical precedents and said residents shouldn't even have to ask to keep the library open.

Urged the commission to honor residents' priorities from two years ago and stand against both the closure and the surveillance.

A former O'Malley opponent who said the tax-increase promise to save the library turned out untrue, and asked commissioners to show hands on saving it.

Wanted to know why the library is a budget problem again while the city builds an artificial-turf baseball complex at Eastmonte Park.