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<br />every year. She said that an Archival Collection Task Farce was assembled six years ago to <br />study issues facing various archival stewardship groups, including the Orange County Records <br />Department, the Orange County Library, Hillsborough Historical Society, the Orange County <br />Historical Museum, and the Historic Hillsborough Commission. The task force identified several <br />issues of concern: The nature and extent of the various collections, conservation issues, <br />accessibility to collections, and space requirements. The task farce concluded that locating <br />archival collections at a centralized space to be stored, preserved, and accessed by the public <br />is critical. She said that this sort of facility is no longer an optional amenity to be tucked into a <br />corner somewhere, but an essential requirement with the added benefit that it draws throngs of <br />people to the area every year. At a minimum, this type of facility must be at least 2,000 square <br />feet and must offer security from temperature extremes, theft, fire, and moisture. The proposed <br />library is supposed to be around 24,000 square feet, but there was a study done that concluded <br />that a County of Orange County's size should have a main library of around 34,000 square feet. <br />This difference would allow the inclusion of a separate archival collection facility. She said that <br />the current location on Tryon Street would serve the purposes perfectly. She said that it is the <br />task force's understanding that the endowment money currently held by the library totals over <br />$90,000 and was supposed to go toward some sort of history room and it is available to support <br />this initiative. In addition, other Hillsborough organizations will pledge support with funds and <br />materials to help with the process. <br />Mayor of Carrboro Mark Chilton spoke about the Carrboro Branch Library. He said that <br />it should be properly known as the Southwest Orange Library. He said that it concerns him that <br />no funds are allocated toward this project in this plan. He knows that the County is looking at <br />reconstituting the Library Services Task Force, but he would like to see the County commit <br />funds and a timetable for this library. He said that he appreciates the need to move forward and <br />to hone the proposal for this library, but there remains a difference of thinking between Orange <br />County government and the Town of Carrboro government about how such a branch library <br />would ever be paid for. He said that the scale of money to do this project would be around $2 <br />million, and he believes that the County needs to be honest about whether it is a priority for the <br />County ar nat. He asked the Board to consider changing the debt issuance plan to reflect this <br />branch library. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked Mayor Chilton to elaborate on the difference in thinking of <br />Orange County and Carrboro. Mayor Chilton said that the Board of County Commissioners sent <br />a letter to the Town of Carrboro about two years ago indicating that it was the County's <br />expectation that any branch library should be paid 50°!0 out of Carrboro's tax dollars and 50°!° <br />out of Orange County's tax dollars. He said that this is neither feasible within Carrboro's capital <br />improvement plan, nor is it something he feels is a reasonable request. He said that library <br />services are overwhelmingly a county function in North Carolina, and state law is clear about <br />this paint. He said that the Board of Aldermen as a whole has taken this position. He said that, <br />speaking for himself, he is willing to consider that Carrboro would put some resources toward <br />making this library happen, but it is in no position to do half of the budget for the project. He <br />asked for a commitment from the Board of County Commissioners on how much the County <br />would be willing to contribute. <br />Chair Carey said that he thinks it is premature to talk about this now because he is <br />unsure about the monies that would need to be raised. He said that it is incumbent upon the <br />Board to update the Library Services Task Force report so that there is same framework around <br />the need and how much it might cost. <br />Mayor Chilton said that one of the problems with the last Library Services Task Force <br />was that, at some level, people were dreaming about what they wanted their library services <br />would be someday, but this was not realistic. He said that the need is great, but the resources <br />are limited. <br />