Agenda - 12-02-2013 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 1 She said there were some questions about the Shetley property that needed to be 2 answered. She said if there is no intent or interest on the Carrboro Board to swap the 3 properties on Hillsborough Road so that the library can be sited on the town property, then 4 maybe the evaluation money could be saved by not evaluating that site. She asked that this be 5 considered. 6 Alderman Haven-O'Donnell agreed with Commissioner Gordon and thanked her for this 7 assertion. She said that the use of the parking deck with the library was part of the discussion 8 with the developer in the spring, and knowing this was part of the plan made the board feel very 9 comfortable. 10 She said that the board has affirmed their position regarding Brewer Lane and if the 11 Board is like-minded, she agrees with Commissioner Gordon that the money for information on 12 the Shetley property does not need to be spent. 13 Commissioner Pelissier said she supports Brewer Lane. She echoed the concerns with 14 parking and said that four of the Board members have been through the negative experience 15 with Hillsborough. 16 She said that many people have asked why Orange County would build another library 17 only 3 miles from the Chapel Hill Library. She said a library system is meant to be built with 18 complementary services that do not duplicate each other. She asked Lucinda Munger to 19 explain some of the unique services that could be done at this branch. 20 Lucinda Munger said this library is designed to serve the adjoining area. She said this 21 could include services for children and families from low income areas. She said that future 22 focus groups and public hearings will shape the scope and types of the services provided. She 23 said there is a digital and literary divide, and there is a need to raise grade level reading scores. 24 She said there is also the possibility of a future partnership with the proposed art center, 25 as well as provision of an incubator space for local entrepreneurs. 26 Lucinda Munger said, once phase one is over, the task force can begin to think about the 27 services that would best fit this area. She said it is not necessary to re-create the Chapel Hill or 28 Hillsborough Library. She said she does not do cookie cutter libraries, as this is not a wise use 29 of taxpayer dollars. She looks forward to those conversations. 30 Alderman Lavelle said the Butler site has great support, and she would like to suggest 31 that the other properties simply be kept in the back pocket while this property is pursued. She 32 suggested the Board move forward with the Brewer property as it has such great support. 33 Commissioner Gordon said the Skills Development Center does have computers and 34 access for people looking for jobs. She suggested this be considered as coordination of 35 facilities is discussed. 36 Lucinda Munger said the topic of how libraries could assist with economic and work force 37 development was discussed at a recent conference she attended. She agreed with the idea of 38 partnering with the Skills Development Center. 39 Chair Jacobs said, while it is clear to him that a majority of the Board is in favor of the 40 Brewer Lane site, the Board needs to engage the public before picking a site. He said the 41 Board made a pledge to do this right the second time. 42 He said part of the criticism of putting a library in Carrboro, so close to the other branch 43 library, is countered by the fact that the Board is being urged to spend considerable money to 44 support the Chapel Hill library because of high use by Carrboro residents. He said that there is 45 an agreement to re-examine this financial support once there is a branch library in Carrboro. 46 He said this is a large chunk of money and it grows every year. 47 Chair Jacobs said there are currently two libraries in Carrboro: McDougle and the 48 Cybrary. He said that Carrboro has been a financial partner for the Cybrary from the beginning. 49 He urged Carrboro to consider being a financial partner for the proposed branch library. 50