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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board - Minutes - 08/08/1995CITY OF 1 RT COLLINS PUBLI&IBRARY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING Ben Delatour Room - Fort Collins Public Library August 8, 1995 PRESENT: LIBRARY BOARD: Anne Ostrye-Macdonald, Chairperson, Al Stone, Le Moyne Anderson, Alan Bednarz, Linda Knowlton, Jack Steele, M. Madeleine Wawro CITY STAFF: Linda Saferite, Bob Copeland, Deb Maltby, Ellen Willis, Dean Willms, Marjorie Teklits GUEST: Dr. Eric Reno, Vice President, Front Range Community College FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY LIAISON: Shirley Chase This special meeting to discuss the four Library service options was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Chair, Anne Ostrye-Macdonald. Purpose of the Meeting and Role of the Library Board The purpose of the meeting was to discuss which of the four Library service options would best meet the needs of our growing community. The Library Board's role in the process is to make a recommendation for City Council and to give support to that recommendation at the August 22 City Council Study Session. Linda Saferite discussed the timeframe and next steps involved in the process and stressed the importance of the decision on what the Library Board supports. Front Ranee CommunityCollege Partnership Opportunity Linda Saferite outlined the three options to be considered: Full Qption: A branch library partnering with the college which would include the design and building of a joint library at Harmony and Shields, an additional 10,000 square feet and 15,000 new books. The Mini Library would move into the new joint library in the Fall of 1997. City funding would be $2 million. Partial Option: A branch library partnering with the college which would include the design and building of a joint library at Harmony and Shields, and an additional 6,000 square feet but no furnishings or books. The Mini Library would move into the new joint library in the Fall of 1997. City funding would be $1 million. Wait lion: Front Range Community College would build its library now and the City would wait for voter approval of $2 million to add -on to the campus library for a branch or new Main Library which would have a central campus location. A citizen vote in either November 1996, April 1997 or November 1997 would be required for both the Partial and Wait options. 1 She also explained to the Bo;it.Ahat there would be an Intergovernmelrtzal Agreement between the City and the College on how the joint -use library would be run. Lee Anderson expressed concern over two different agencies running one library. Dr. Eric Reno emphasized that responsibilities in Intergovernmental Agreements are clear cut and, from his past experience, have been very successful. In addition, he stated that Front Range Community College is very interested in the possibility of a partnering with the City to build the joint library. Charts comparing the Fort Collins Library to other libraries, a breakdown of comments related to library facilities and areas which need the most improvement were shared with the Library Board. These statistics were obtained from a survey of 2,000 randomly selected residents. Anne Ostrye- Macdonald said that the survey results help point out where the Library Board needs to focus public relations. She asked the Board if they had enough information to make a decision, and all agreed that they did. Option Discussions The following were comments made by Library Board members: Option A - Reconstruct Old Fort Collins High School/Branch at Front Range Community College. Al Stone: Although a nice option, this would not be his first choice based on the cost involved. It might be his second choice, however. He feels a branch, and perhaps two branches, are still needed. Linda Knowlton: Although she strongly supported the use of the school in the beginning, after attending Board meetings and seeing how the school is being used at the present, she realizes the chances of the Library acquiring it are slim. The high cost of this option is another reason, and she said she would consider it as her fourth option. She noted that there were some negative comments in the survey concerning the school's use as a library. At the end of the meeting, however, she felt she might reconsider her decision. Lee Anderson: Totally against this option and does not recommend spending money on the extensive renovation the school would require to be used as a library. Madeleine Wawro: On the basis of the cost involved, she would not consider this as an option any longer. Jack Steele: Likes the option, however, he doesn't believe the voters would approve it because of the cost involved. Al Bednarz: Does not favor the option because of the significant cost involved. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald: Because of its favorable location, youth center, and historical value, she is not convinced that this option wouldn't work. She added that the voters might approve it as money is not always a main concern when dealing with historic preservation. Option B - Expand the current Library (and build a parking structure)/Branch at Front Range Community College. Al Stone: Recommended as first choice. He added that a creative decision should be made concerning parking, such as having a trolley run past the parking garage or tearing up Peterson Street. He recommends a branch at Front Range Community College, a southeast branch, and an upfront long term book budget rather than an annual book budget. Linda Knowlton: This option is her third choice. She agrees that parking could be a major obstacle and said the library is too far to the north if this option is chosen. Lee Anderson: Although he likes the present site, he feels it would be difficult to expand the building as it was originally constructed and the parking structure would be too costly. In addition, expanding 2 the present building would be*urden for staff and cause disruptiontserving the public. Madeleine Wawro: She believes this is unworkable and is her least favorite option. Another idea would be to leave the present Library where it is and to have branches at other locations. Jack Steele: He believes the Main Library should remain in the downtown area, but this option has no growth potential, parking is difficult and there are limitations to it. Al Bednarz: He believes this is a reasonably strong second option. His first choice would be to keep the present Library as is and build a branch in another location. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald: Use of the open space in the park area would be controversial. The option might be workable if the Library used and expanded towards the old Carnegie Library. Option C - New Main Library at undetermined downtown site/Branch at Front Range Community College. Al Ston : This was his least favorite option. Linda Knowlton: She is not in favor of the Library being part of a County/City Civic Center Complex as the location is too far north, next to railroad tracks and she does not believe a Library fits into such a complex. Her first choice would be in favor of this option if the Library were more centrally located. Lee Anderson: This option is the best solution. It is not a concern to him if it would be located at a civic complex or not; the most cost effective way to go is to start from scratch. Madeleine Wawro: Believes it is important to keep the Library in the downtown area. Might have a better chance of getting what is needed if it is included in other city choices. Jack Steele: Although he likes the idea of a new facility, he doesn't agree with consultant Bob Rohlf that it would be less expensive as there are too many unknown factors and, therefore, doesn't like this option. Al Bednarz: Al believes this option would be difficult to sell to the voters as they like the present building. The Main Library should be kept as is and branches built elsewhere. Anne Ostrye-Macdonald: Anne believes there are too many unknowns concerning this option; if it were located at a County/City Civic Complex, we would have to be vigilant that it is of adequate size and has adequate funding. Option D - New Main Library at Front Range Community College/Branch at current Library. Al Ston : Unfavored option as the location is too far from the downtown area even though the branch would be at the present building. Linda Knowlton: Would support this option. Lee Anderson: Reluctantly agrees with it. Anne Ostrye Macdonald: A new Main Library in the south is too controversial. The other Library Board members felt choosing this option is a moot point. The Library Board will vote on its service options recommendation for City Council at the August 10th meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits