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Tancredo isn't bending on library's plans
By Lou Kilzer, Rocky Mountain News
July 13, 2005

U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo is sticking with his skepticism over a possible expansion of Denver library services to Spanish-speaking residents.

He fears the plan is part of "the cultural Balkanization" of the country, said an aide, Will Adams.

Adams said several Denver library employees sought out the congressman with concerns about the plan and provided Tancredo with inside information.

A meeting Monday was the first of seven to discuss plans to customize library services at various branches throughout the city. Only one person raised the issue of illegal immigration at the meeting.

City Librarian Rick Ashton said no decisions have been made about what services eventually would go toward Spanish-language centers. He said whatever programs gain approval would have to fit in an ever- dwindling budget.

Since 2001, funding for the library has declined by more than $5 million.

Tancredo launched an attack on Spanish-language proposals in a June 21 letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper, questioning whether funds could be going to the wrong programs.

Hickenlooper fired back, saying the congressman was ill-informed. He noted that libraries have a history of independence "from direct government control so that the personal preferences, tastes or political needs of politicians do not dictate" library content.

The mayor and congressman have been skirmishing since Denver police Detective Donald Young was gunned down, allegedly by an illegal immigrant, in May.

Ashton said it was not his responsibility to enforce federal immigration laws. The library is there to serve residents and about 20 percent of those residents speak Spanish.

"So it is important to have services that are useful to Spanish speakers," Ashton said. "I would like the United States to have a coherent immigration policy. Meanwhile, the library does not have enough resources to be an immigration agency."

A 50-member advisory committee is overseeing the public meetings. Dates and locations can be found on the library's Web site, www.denverlibrary.org.