Minutes - 19770223 - Laserfiche WebLink

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y~i The Chairman stated that the purpose of the meeting was to talk about mutual concerns of the Library Board and the Board of Commissionrs relative to new space far the library. He understood that the Library Board had new information to share with the Commissioners and new points to raise concerning the library. Mr. Whitted recognized A. T. Davison, Chairman of the Confederate Library Board. Others from the Library Board present were Lloyd Osterman, Director of the Hyconeechee Regional Library, Bonnie Davis, Cecil Sanford, Francis B. deFriess, Catherine Seelye, and Virginia Warren. Mr. Davison stated that the Library Board had some reservations about moving to the Grady Browm complex and felt that these reservations needed to be aired. He stated that the feelings of the Library Board was that _ while the square footage of the Grady Brown area barely, basically, sati- sfied the projection, which were made based on the Orange County Growth Options Conference, the Library Board still felt the footage was inade- quate because of the building, the surroundings, and the other occupants in the building. These factors would present an atmosphere that is not the atmosphere for the setting of a library. He stated that a library should be a place of welcome and one which encouraged people to come in and utilize the facility. He stated that a library in the middle of governmental operations would be a very poor choice under any circum- stances. Mr. Davison stated that he now understood that other agencies within the County were in need of additional space at the Grady Brown Complex and that the space which was set aside for the library could be used for these agencies. Mr. Davison concluded that the Library Board felt they would be better off in the long run to stay in the present occupied building for a period of at least 5 years and during that time make a strong effort to locate monies from any source (private or federal) and build at the end of that period, a library that answers the true use and atmosphere a library should have. The Library Board does not feel that the Grady Brown School complex will be a first class facility for the next 40 years, which is the time frame the Library Board is faced with. He added that once a library is placed at a particular location, it stays there for centuries. Bonnie Davis stated that she agreed with Mr. Davison's comments and strongly suggest that this part of the County have a first class facility in terms of a library. She stated that a library of this type would do a great deal toward the culture enrichment for the population in this part of the County. That this could be an adult learning center with many activities going on at the same times. The public would soon look the library as a real learning center, especially for adults. Commissioner Gustaveson asked to be brought up to date in terms of footage required. Mr. Davison stated that the Library Board first asked far 12,000 square feet of space, however, after further studies, the Board realized that 16,000 square feet of library oriented space will be needed, which is an estimate based on a population figure of 60,000 for the next 20 years. If population continues to grow as it has in the last 6 years, then the 16,000 square feet is a conservative estimate. Mr. Davison spoke of guidelines which had been received from the American Library Association. Populations of from 25,000 to 50,000, the book collection should be 50,000 volumes plus 2 books per capita. A significant figure of the guidelines was the space estimate of .6 square foot per capita. He added that the number of the present books at the library is between 23,000 adn 24,000. The library staff has limited the purchase of new books. Commissioner Willhoit asked if the figure of square footage per capita applied to libraries which have active bookmobiles? Mr. Davison replied, "yes, for a total library operation." Commissioner Gustaveson asked what percentage of circulation came through the bookmobile. Mr. Osterman replied that about 45,000 per year pf book circulation, not units of service, about 40 percent of bookmobile circulation. He added that what the library could do and what they are doing now, are two different things, based on a lack of facilities.