Minutes 03-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapel Hill next month. She expressed concern about the plan and said that as Carrboro brings forth options for siting the library, the Board needs to consider not building yesterday's library. Chair Jacobs said he was on all three library task forces, and Orange County created the Cybrary and Carrboro provided the space for this cybrary in the Century Center free of charge. He noted that this was a nationally award winning collaboration and one of the first places where people could come exclusively to use computers and magazines to access the library services. He said that the library services task force report that is referred to recommends a 43,000 square foot central library and a smaller 20,000 square foot branch library. He noted that the County has a 23,000 square foot central library, so a concomitantly sized branch library might be considerably smaller than 20,000 square feet. He said this board has never decided what size of branch library they would like to build and this is a concept based on a report relating to a standard in place ten years ago. He said the Board may want to wait on the results of the library strategic plan before deciding on size. Commissioner Price asked if the Cybrary would be part of the new library or would remain as is. She also questioned whether mixed use or multi-purpose library space had been discussed, since she this had been discussed among people in the community. Frank Clifton said this issue has been pursued many times over the years. He said that there is an element that would like to see an urbanized library and coffee shop. He said that the difference is that Chapel Hill is a municipal library, built primarily for the citizens of Chapel Hill. He said that the County has a broader range of residents to reach and not everyone has bus service so most who would use the County facilities would have to travel there by automobile. He said that, with regard to one level, a multi-level requires more staffing. He said the County needs to build a facility that it can afford to operate. Commissioner Dorosin referenced the Hillsborough Road site and asked if the three acre parcel would be purchased just for a driveway or if there could be additional uses for this property. Jeff Thompson said there could be other uses. He said that there would be synergy with the park and possibly some outdoor library programs. Commissioner Gordon asked where the pond on the Hillsborough site is located. Jeff Thompson referenced the pond area on the map and said this area may not be suitable for development other than park development. PUBLIC COMMENT: James Carnahan expressed his excitement at seeing this project come to fruition and read from 2004 library services task force report indicating the support of the Town of Carrboro for a library in central Carrboro. He said he wanted to re-iterate the number of people who would be served by this library and he advocated for a location in the central business district. He stressed the benefit of a synergistic arrangement. He said that he respectfully disagrees with the dismissal of the Town Hall site. He referenced a feasibility report on this site and offered to share that report with the board. Randee Haven O'Donnell, Board of Alderman member, said she served with Chair Jacobs on the last two task forces. She said she learned that a library is part of an economic engine and it generates community and other business. She noted that the discussion is about the southwest neighborhoods and communities that are already involved in downtown Carrboro and she advocated for a synergistic partnership. She said there have been several opportunities to site a smaller library in downtown Carrboro and encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to take a look at this potential. She referenced the Hillsborough Road map and said that they should hold off on having too much discussion about this property.