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to <br />In June 2004, the BOCC approved hiring a library consultant to provide <br />recommendations on the size needed for a library headquarters facility for Orange County <br />and guidelines on co-locating library facilities using professional library standards and <br />community needs. Dale Gaddis, retired Director of Durham County Public Library was <br />engaged as the consultant. Her final report was delivered on September 30, 2004 and is <br />attached. <br />The Task Force members and consultant have thoroughly investigated the charge and <br />reviewed the consultant's report and recommendations. Members have worked very <br />diligently to provide this report in a short period of time. <br />Below are the recommendations that we are making: <br />1) That Orange County adopt a long range library facility plan that takes into <br />consideration the needs of the entire county and is based on 20 year population <br />projections. (Long-Range Library Facility Planning, Recommendation #1, pgs 11-13) <br />2) That the Orange County Public Library develop a comprehensive 3 - 5 year strategic <br />action plan that places priority on achieving a vision of countywide equitable library <br />services and resources for all citizens of Orange County. (Long-Range Library Facility <br />Planning, Reeonunendation #2, pg 13) <br />3) That a new Orange County Central Library be constructed in the vicinity of <br />Hillsborough, a central location for the County. The recommended size range of the <br />facility is between 30,000 - 65,000 square feet based on the equations provided by the <br />consultant using design population estimates for 2025. (Long-Range Library Facility <br />Planning, Recommendation #3, pgs 13-17) <br />Pursuant to our charge, the Task Force investigated the advantages and disadvantages <br />of a co-located facility on the DTCC site in Waterstone. <br />Advantages: <br />- The site is centrally located and would be convenient to the needs of the <br />total county population; <br />- A substantial synergy between DTCC students and county residents would <br />be realized; <br />- The tax burden would be reduced through facility cost sharing and co-use <br />of the land; <br />- Users of the new facility would have access to a larger, broader collection. <br />Public library patrons would have access to other DTCC resources; <br />students would have access to a significantly larger collection; <br />- The dual collections of a combined public and community college library <br />would enrich the experience of students in the proposed middle college <br />high school program; <br />Disadvantages: <br />There are unresolved issues related to DTCC restrictions / expectations <br />about maximum square footage for a new library facility; <br />Concerns have been expressed about the loss of the Orange County Public <br />Library from Central Hillsborough;