Detroit library criticized for renovations

DETROIT, April 23 (UPI) -- The Detroit Public Library is drawing criticism for spending $2.3 million revamping a wing of the main building amid widespread branch closings.

Critics of the overhaul, which includes spending $1,092 apiece on 20 yellow and orange European lounge chairs, said it amounts to reckless spending after library officials recently announced 18 of its 23 neighborhood branches would be closed and 191 of 333 workers would be laid off due to finances, The Detroit News reported Friday.

"$1,100 per chair is reckless spending for a public institution," said Todd Kelly, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1259, which represents 125 library employees. "It would be easier to swallow the current situation if we didn't see things like that."

Executive Director Jo Anne Mondowney conceded the South Wing renovation is expensive but noted the plans were put in place before her tenure began 19 months ago.

Edward Thomas, chairman of the library commission, said the library's financial woes are not related to the renovations. He said officials have projected a 20 percent drop in revenues per year until 2015 due to declining property taxes.

"Our monthly payroll is $2 million," Thomas said. "When you have a situation like this, people are looking for someone to blame. I just think some things are being made more of than they are. The root cause is really the decline in property taxes."