Agenda - 12-12-2006-9e - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County Library Long-Range Facility Planning presence of tJ:is library, operated by a separate, jurisdiction, affects the planrrirrg of cortntyfvide Jibrary 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 an 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 4.3% of registered borrowers lived outside of the Town of Chapel Hill, wifih the majority of these in Canrboro and South Orange County (Ruth O'Donnell, Chapel Hill Public Library Five Year Services Plan: ZD41-2006 ar:d Lang Ter»~ Facility Needs Through 2010, page 11). In determining the proposed size for' the expanded library facility, the Library tools 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 ofGhapel Hill could have a significant impact an the County's ability to move forv~ard with these plans, o Orange Cottrrty is prortd of its Iristory and rich in historic resources tl:at are preserved by a rrnruber of irrstitrrtiorrs irr HiJJsbororrglr, incJrtdirrg the prrbJic library. PrrbJzc access to these resources is Jirrrited, ltorvever. Orange County was established in 1852, acid 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'llistorical materials.. The Hillsborough Historical Society, the Orange County Historical Museum, the Burwell School historic site, the Alliance far' Historic Hillsborough, and the Public Library all maintain collections of historical materials. Public access to these materials, however, is limited. Even in rile 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. ~2.ecomrnendations a That Orange Cortrrty adopt a long range library, facility plan as proposed in this docrurrent, yvlriclr taJces into consideration the -:eeds of the entire corurty and ZO-year paprrlatiorr projections. Irt 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 ig 11