Working toward a new library space

• Defining our space needs and planning for an appropriate library facility to meet the community’s need.

Parents and volunteers help children with Easter craft project, Easter, ’09.

Long-term Goal became short-term?

Up until recently with the incentive of stimulus funds, the goal of fundraising for a new library building seemed like a distant dream.

The library board had worked out a space needs calculation several years ago and determined that our present space was sorely inadequate.

However, the library building still seemed like an attractive yet distant project.

Village expansion needs.

Village space needs.

Privacy requirements Municipal court Separate, private place for voters toexercise their rights.

Village and library growing…

• About the same time that the library board of trustees were conducting an inquiry into the present space needs for the library service population, the village began realizing that it needed more room to fulfill basic operations, such as municipal court, privacy for primary and general elections and charitable outreaches, such as the Food Pantry.

What exactly will the stimulus funding do?

The stimulus funds, as far as we know, will cover exactly 50% of the total building cost provided that we can generate the other 50% of funding.

Donations to help offset the other 50% must be “building-related”; the new computers covered by our Bill Gates grant will help cover the other 50% of funding.

Meeting Community Demand

Usage of the library steadily increases year upon year.

Circulation of library materials to patrons has significantly increased in recent years.* A recent library event drew large crowds in excess

of 30 people. Crowds this size are almost impossible to accommodate within our current

library space.

* Based on data from the Public Library Annual Report 2003-2008.

Solution at hand…

Now that stimulus dollars are available for special, high-profile, municipal building projects, the village can take advantage of this special funding offer by meeting community needs for both library patrons and community members who vote or who avail themselves of community outreaches such as Food Pantry or Municipal Court.

Storytime with Chris and Max

Artwork done by library volunteer, Sierra Whatley, for a special library event.

Lutz sisters teach an Easter-oriented theme.