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Orange County Library Long-Range Facility Planning JQ <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 /> o That the Orange County Public Library develop a comprehensive 3-5 year strategic <br /> action plan, which places priority on achieving a vision of countyavide 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 withilt the <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 1001 000, a 65, 000 <br /> square foot facility would be needed. <br /> ■ That this County pursue locatiyrg the proposed facility in the . Waterstone <br /> development <br /> ■ That the proposed library provide library services for students ofDurharn <br /> Technical Community College, depending on further negotiations behveen 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 nofv located in the central <br /> library as i'vell 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 <br />