Covered this in last weeks agenda preview but I felt this warranted it’s own post with some more information and specifics from the libraries presentation. The Morning Call did an article. Link here.

WHAT:
The township rec’d a request from the library to sponsor an application for a Keystone Grant that could provide funding up to $500,000 for expansion of our public library. The board agreed to the application with no strings attached at this point.

A study was conducted by Spillman-Farmer dated August 11, 2016 suggesting that the total cost of expansion would be $1,500,000. In addition to the construction costs, this included furnishings and design. I felt this number was very high. Folks must remember, the library already gets a substantial yearly allocation from the township.

JUSTIFICATION:
Since the Community Center/Library was built in 2000, the twp. has grown by 57.49% with a current population of over 31,000.

There were 10,196 children who attended 359 library programs in 2015. A 17% increase in the number of programs and a 5% increase in attendance over 2014. Adult programs numbered 155 with 1,780 attending – a 14% increase in the number of offerings and 54% increase in attendance.

Photos from the Library board presentation on the Grant Opportunity.

Library program offerings for both children and adults are limited due now to lack of space. Children story times are held in an open area which staff feels disturbs patrons wishing for quiet time. The craft activity that accompanies each story time is held in a space that includes the desk of our Youth Services Librarian. Only 15 children can be accommodated at one sitting – thus causing waiting lists.

Adult programs are also held in an open area – children’s department. Programs prohibit families from browsing the children’s collection. They are limited as well with the number of people they can accommodate.

NUTS AND BOLTS:
The current space that the library occupies is 11,500 square feet. The library is asking for an additional 6,500 to provide for a separate children’s area and reconfigure current space into meeting rooms, study areas, quiet areas, additional office space and storage.

MY THOUGHTS:
This won’t be decided quickly and not without much opportunity for public input. This is the beginning of a multi month process. And securing the grant is a pre-requisite. At this point the township only authorized a grant application. We are not bound to anything. The township can consider budgeting some amount of money contingent on the grant.

There are basic questions I believe should be considered with the same criteria we’ve applied to other large discretionary capital requests. Here are the things I look for.

1.) Financial Commitment from a private entity. In this case Library fundraising. The library has committed 300,000 in privately raised funds. This is a good start. No match from the library would have been a non-starter. (This was the major problem with the 2014 proposed turf fields – no private money in the equation)

2.) Demonstrated support from the community. (largely in terms of above)

3.) Demonstrated need. The library began to make their case in a public presentation last Thursday.

4.) Expansion matches the demonstrated need. This is where I have the most questions. This is a 56% increase in size being justified by a 56% increase in population. Instead the expansion size should be based on actual space needs. But, also accounting for the fact we will continue to grow.