City to be presented library expansion plan

By Susan Larson | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008

While the public expressed through a recent park and recreation survey that it feels the Fergus Falls Public Library is important, it’s still not first in line.

To prove they are serious about making the library expansion happen, the Fergus Falls Library Board and Friends of the Fergus Falls Public Library Board met Monday to craft a resolution to present to the city.

“This is not the only project in town,” said Walt Dunlap, library director. “If it is to move forward, it’s going to take lobbying on all of our parts.”

“You’ve got some competition,” City Community Development Director Gordon Hydukovich said, speaking of other city projects.

The library has been in need of expansion for years. The project could cost about $5 million, according to Dunlap. The additional room would allow for adding new programs; expanding existing ones; increasing the book collection; and updating the facility, including making it handicapped-accessible. In 2001, voters turned down a special sales tax that would have paid for improvements to the library building.

The library will have to raise $2 million for the project. It is slated to receive about $55,000 a year over 20 years from the estate of the late Sis Cowles and about $500,000 from a grant. If money for libraries passes the legislature, the city could apply for up to $1 million.

“The people who will be competing for this money will be ready,” said Peg Werner, Viking Library System director. “The money will go to those who are ready, not to those who are just considering.”

Doing the project in phases has been previously discussed, Hydukovich said. The project is not phaseable, Werner said.

“When you phase something,” she said, “you look for the most needed thing to do first. In this case, it’s space. Once the addition is built, you’re bound by state law to bring the building up to code … This is a project that has to go through the sum whole.”

“We have to look at costs,” said Sara Thronsedt, secretary/treasurer for the Friends of the Library. “ We have a unique situation where there’s a possible lull in construction … It’s extremely important to get the job done now, because it’s going to cost the taxpayers more to wait.”

The following proposal will be presented to the city at the next city council meeting:

“The Fergus Falls Public Library Board believes, after nearly 10 years of studies, the community has come to expect the city to move forward now on the library expansion project. The recent park and recreation study offers solid validation of the board’s view. The Fergus Falls Public Library is in line to apply for a state library construction grant. Timelines associated with this grant mandate that a decision made soon.

“Therefore, the Public Library Board hereby requests that the mayor and city council move forward with appropriate measures to accomplish the addition of 12,565 square feet to the current Fergus Falls Public Library.”

An endorsement from the Friends of the Fergus Falls Public Library will be included: “The Friends of the Fergus Falls Public Library have reviewed these statements and offer their unanimous endorsement and support.”