Agenda - 01-23-2007-9d - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County Library Long-Range Facility Planning presence of this library, operated by a separate jurisdiction, affects the planning of countywide library services. A contributing factor to the fragmented approach to countywide library service development is the presence of an independent municipal library serving a significant portion of the population, the Town of Chapel Hill. The Chapel Hill Public Library is funded by the Town with a supplemental appropriation from Orange County and a per capita appropriation from the State. It operates out of one 27,319 square foot facility on Estes Drive. The Town recently passed a bond referendum to expand the library facility to 75,000 square feet. The Chapel'Hill Library offers services free of charge to all residents of Orange County. Analyses of the Chapel Hill registration and circulation records conducted in 2001 indicated that 43% of registered borrowers lived outside of the Town of Chapel Hill, with the majority of these in Carrboro and South Orange County (Ruth O'Donnell, Chapel Hill Public Library Five Year Services Plan: 2001-2006 and Long Term Facility Needs Through 2020, page 11). In determining the proposed size for the expanded library facility, the Library took into account the use coming from these residents outside of the Chapel Hill town limits. It is important that Orange County take into account the contributions this library and the Town of Chapel Hill are making to serve the southern area of Orange County as it proceeds with plans for library service development in other areas of the county. The residents of Chapel Hill could have a significant impact on the County's ability to move forward with these plans. o Orange County is proud of its history and rich in historic resources that are preserved by a number of institutions in Hillsborough, including the public library. Public access to these resources is lirrrited, however. Orange County was established in 1852, and Hillsborough is presently celebrating its 250,' anniversary. The area was the center of political activity during the Colonial and Revolutionary War years and is the location of many historical buildings and sites. The community has placed priority on collection and preservation of historical materials.. The Hillsborough Historical Society, the Orange County Historical Museum, the Burwell School historic site, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, and the Public Library all maintain collections of historical materials. Public access to these materials, however, is limited. Even in the public library, not all of the materials are cataloged and dedicated assistance with the collection is available only with the help of a weekly volunteer. Recommendations o That Orange County adopt a long range library facility plan as proposed in this document, which takes into consideration the needs of the entire county and 20 year population projections. In planning for new library facilities, it is recommended that total county access to services be considered and that the resources of the Chapel Hill Library be taken into account. It 18 11