Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. John Halliday, Director of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, noted <br />that the first branch of the public library was located in Jefferson School. He said the <br />Library explored the possibility of relocating the main library to the site, but it was found <br />to be inadequate for the weight loads and too small for the space needed. He noted that <br />the current main library is too small and is in need of renovations, estimated at $5 <br />million. He said that the County has budgeted 50% of the cost of these renovations. He <br />said that the library's computer lab is used by over 4,000 people a month, and the Library <br />Board has proposed to move the computer lab to Jefferson School, as well as its <br />bookmobile and outreach services, a coffee shop, administrative offices, book ordering <br />services and meeting spaces. Mr. Halliday said the average cost to renovation library <br />space is $152 per square foot. He said he will be asking the City to fund 50% of the main <br />library renovations. He said the Friends of the Library would also like to use 10,000 <br />square feet at Jefferson School. <br /> <br /> Mr. Peter Mclntosh, representing Friends of the Library, said they need more <br />space, preferably on the first floor of Jefferson School, because of the weight of the <br />books they sell. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked if the proposal is to removal all of the public computers from <br />the main library. <br /> <br /> Mr. Halliday said the computer lab is proposed to move, but some computers for <br />reference purposes would be kept. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling expressed concern about taking the computer lab away from the <br />books. <br /> <br /> Mr. Halliday said that most people who use the lab come specifically for the <br />computers, and he does not think it will be a major loss to move the computer lab. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he has the same concern. He said he would be supportive of the <br />entire library going to Jefferson School. He said this would be an educational use of <br />Jefferson and would free up a building downtown. Mr. Lynch asked if more of the <br />library could be brought to Jefferson or ifa 21st century library would fit on that site, <br />perhaps where the playground is located. He said this would provide 30,000 to 40,000 <br />square feet of space. Mr. Lynch asked what the Library Board would think about that. <br />He said if that is not feasible, then we could look at bringing the Gordon Avenue Library <br />to this location. <br /> <br /> Mr. Halliday said more space is needed than available on the site, and said it <br />would be very expensive to build a new library. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said there would be more space available if it was built on more than <br />one level. <br /> <br />Mr. Halliday said he would be delighted to get new library space. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he does not like the idea of moving the library administration <br />function to Jefferson School and feels it would be better to have the children's area <br />moved there. <br /> <br /> Mr. Halliday said it is better to have adult and children' s books together in one <br />location. He said Jefferson School would be an excellent site for conferences and <br />meetings. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she has similar concerns about moving the administrative <br />aspect. Ms. Hamilton asked if the space requested by Friends of the Library would be <br />used for storage only when there is no sale. <br /> <br />Mr. Mclntosh said the space would be open to the public only during the sale. <br /> <br /> <br />