Minutes - 19770223 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1('~ Mr. Davison stated.•that.the° library served approximately 12,000 people in a six month period. He spoke of what the Library Board felt a library should be. He mentioned the need of space fox meetings to accomodate up to 150 people. He stated that this would augment the library's usefulness to the County tremendously. Most libraries which are built under modern circumstances are going to provide a total learning center, available for use 54 to 60 hours a week. Ms. Seelye stated that the most one could seat in the present library was 1S people, and based on the present population of 49,000 they should be able to seat 75 people. Commissioner Gustaveson asked Mr. Nassif of the available space for the library at the Grady Brown complex. Mr. Nassif stated that the entire second floor had been assigned to the library which was 12,000 plus square footage. Chairman Whitted summarized by stating that the Library Board was saying they prefrred to stay where they presently are, even if it is aor a period of five years, and meanwhile, work at obtaining funds for construction of a new facility. Commissioner Gustaveson asked of the status of the present library building, assuming the library stayed there. Mr. Davison stated that there were alternatives, in case the library was requested to move. One alternative, which the Board is, actively pur- suing, is the opening of a branch in Carrboro. The liblary has been offered space in the new mall in Carrboro. This space will be larger than what is now available in Hillsborough. Discussion ensued concerning the use of the Grady Brown space for the Mental Health Center. Mr. Nassif stated that Mental Health originally requested 1500 square feet, however, since other programs had been added to the agency, approxi- _ mately 7,000 square feet would be needed, and if the administrative staff moved to Brady Brown from Chapel Hill, he would estimate the need for at least 10,000 square feet. - Chairman Whitted stated that all the space at Grady Brown would be used, regardless of whether the library went there ar not, and that all the monies would be used as well. He stated that the planning procedures of the bond issue for the shcools, were based on certain ideas developed by the Board of Commissioners. The intention was to put the capital money into renovating Grady Brown, which would be the capital expenditure for the County for the next year, before additional shcool buildings would be needed. He added that we are still talking about renovating 57,000 square feet of space at Grady Brown, and all the money will be used, whether the library goes there nr not. He added that he felt sure the Library Board had taken this into consideration. Mr. Davison reminded-the Board that several years ago, $SD,000 was set aside for the T,ib~ary's future use. Mr. Whitted stated that he knew there was $50,000 set aside in the Building Fund, but he did not know it was "earmarked." Mr. Osterman stated that this Board of Commissioners should think of Orange County for future years, that the Library Board could not and should not accomobate themselves to something that is not representatives of Orange County, and Grady Brown does net represent Orange•County. He added that if the Library Board could find some source of monies, the Board would come at the Commissioners with an urgent plea to dig deep and find -- monies far construction. Ms. Seelye asked if the Commissioners were aware of the plight of the Library Board in the lack of proper facilities. She stated that the Board felt this program was as important to the citizens as Mental Health, Social Services, and Recreation. Commissioner Willhoit stated that he had not seen any statistics in writing about the library needs. He asked for an evaluation by the Library Board, with long range plans. Mr. Willhoit added that he did not see the need for a branch Library in Carrboro. That it seemed more logical to support the Chapel. Hill ibrary as a facility for the'ai.tizens of the