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orange County Library Long-Range Facility Planning _ a b <br />NB: These figures include overlap, in recognition that residents will likely use more than <br />one facility because of complementary services and ease of access to their particular <br />residence. <br />? That the Orange County Public Library develop a comprehensive 3-5 year strategic <br />action plan, which places priority on achieving'a vision of countyyvide library service <br />and continues to address the inequities in service and resources available in the <br />county. <br />This particular study and its recommendations focus on facilities, not on resources and <br />services. A major finding in this study (and in the 2001 study) is that facilities and the size of <br />staff and collections are inadequate to serve the population outside of Chapel Hill. A strategic <br />planning process to develop an action plan to address inadequacies in resources and to <br />establish service priorities over the next three to five years as new facilities are developed is <br />an essential step that should begin very soon. <br />? That a new Orange County Central Library be constructed adjacent to or within ti:e <br />Town of Hillsborough. The proposed library'would continue to serve as headquarters <br />for the Hyconeechee Regional and Orange County Library systems and serve as a <br />reference services center for the county, as well as provide general public library <br />services, programs, and collections serving all ages. It is estimated that given the <br />current 20 year population projections and a design population of 100, 000, a 65,000 <br />square foot facility ivould be needed. <br />¦ That the County pursue locating the proposed facility in the Waterstone <br />development <br />¦ That the proposed library provide library services for students of Durham <br />Technical Community College, depending on further negotiations bet?veen the <br />County and DTCC <br />¦ That an Orange County Heritage Center be established in Hillsborough's historic <br />district to make accessible the local history materials now located in the central <br />library as well as appropriate materials from other archival collections in the <br />county. <br />¦ That, if the proposed central library is located outside of downtown Hillsborough, <br />the Heritage Center include neighborhood branch library services for the residents <br />of downtown Hillsborough: Internet access, a small popular collection and <br />children's materials for check-out, and children's programs. <br />There is an immediate need for a new headquarters library facility for Orange County that <br />also serves as the central library providing in-depth reference resources as well as general <br />public library services. As mentioned, the existing facility was too small when it opened 23 <br />years ago. Deficiencies cited during the planning process included, among others, lack of <br />shelving space (for a too-small collection), shelving too high for children, cramped space that <br />interferes with work efficiency and public comfort, inadequate restroom facilities, and <br />structural weakness limiting usability of space. Parking is limited, inconvenient, and unsafe. <br />The facility is on a land-locked site with no room for expansion. <br />13