|
Building Project &
|
The results of the vote have now been officially certified. Our bond issue passed 358 yes to 333 no!
Many thanks to everyone who supported us.
We will now be able to work with the State Library to finalize paperwork and agreements to receive the grant funds, then proceed to have the blueprints drawn up and bid documents prepared.
Many thanks to everyone who supported us.
We will now be able to work with the State Library to finalize paperwork and agreements to receive the grant funds, then proceed to have the blueprints drawn up and bid documents prepared.
|
| ||||
|
|
Video with information for voters about the bond issue that will be on the April 6 ballot, our grant opportunity, and our plans for a new library building.
|
The Project
Build a new 10,660 sq. ft., one-story library at First Street and Center Street on land donated to the library by Prairieland Investment Group.
Features:
Build a new 10,660 sq. ft., one-story library at First Street and Center Street on land donated to the library by Prairieland Investment Group.
Features:
- Floorplan created with patron flow and ease of supervision as a priority
- Large meeting room designed to be used even when the Library is closed2 study rooms
- More seating
- Electrical outlets throughout the building
- larger restrooms
- Drive-up book drop and pick-up window
- Ample parking
- Beautiful site with space for outdoor programs and room for future expansion
|
|
|
Costs and Funding
Estimated cost for the entire project is $2,459.000.
The Library's application for $1,258,862.96 through the Public Library Construction Act Grant through the State Library has been approved. However, the grant funds will not be released until the library can show proof that they have secured the local cost share of $1,200,137.06 by June 30, 2021.
Fundraising efforts have begun and the Library Foundation has been receiving generous donations from the community, but we are still a long way from raising the amount needed.
More information about fundraising projects and ways to donate may be found on the Foundation page of this website.
The Library Board of Trustees has decided to take the required actions needed to place a bond issue on the April 6, 2021 ballot for the full $1,200,000.
If the bond issue passes, the state will be satisfied that the local share has been raised. The grant funds will be released to the library and the new facility will be constructed.
The bond issue grants the library district the authority to issue $1.2 million of bonds, but does not require selling the full amount.
If a significant portion of the needed funds are raised prior to issuing the bonds, the Library can reduce the amount of bonds sold.
The question on the April 6 ballot will read:
"Shall the bonds of the Carthage Public Library District, Hancock County, Illinois, in the amount of $1,200,000 be issued for the purpose of building and equipping a new library facility, constructing site improvements and furnishing necessary equipment in connection therewith?"
Property Tax implications:
The tax rate would increase by approximately 9.27 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Property taxes are paid on assessed value, which is 1/3 of the market value of a house, after exemptions.
For example, 1/3 or a $100,000 house is $33,333 - $6,000 homestead exemptions = $27,333 x .000927 = $25.34.
The bonds will be repaid over a 19 year period.
The documents below provide more detailed tax impact estimates and a worksheet to help calculate the impact.
|
| ||||||||
The issue will be on the April 6, 2021 consolidated election ballot for all residents of the Carthage Public Library District, which has the same boundaries as the Carthage Elementary School District #317. The polls will be open from 6:00 am - 7:00 pm.
|
| ||||
What happens if the referendum does not pass?
If the bond issue fails and the Library is not able to raise the local cost share, then the $1,258,862,94 construction grant will be forfeited, and the new library will not be built.
The library would continue to operate in the current facility. Funds would need to be spent on maintenance and repair, including replacing air conditioning systems.
It is unlikely that the Public Library Construction Act Grant program would be funded again in the near future (the last one was in 2012). The Library would need to raise over $1.2 million to renovate the current building and bring it up to code with a new elevator and additional stairway, or raise the full $2.5 million to build a new library.
What are the issues with the current building?
Other options were considered:
The Board convened a Community Focus Group in 2016 to discuss building issues and possible options. It soon became apparent that accurate cost estimates for the various options were needed. In 2017 the Board of Trustees began working with Dr. Frederick Schlipf, a well-known and respected Library Building Consultant and professor at the U of I Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Urbana-Champaign, and with Mark Misselhorn, from Apace Design + Architects in Peoria. They were asked to look at our current facility and provide cost estimates for remodeling this building, as well as to analyze other options.
Their complete report is below. The bottom of page 1 states, "Our conclusion, outlined in detail below, is that the most economical and functional solution is to start over with a new building designed as a library." Dr. Schlipf's recommendation on the final page of the document is the same, "The only reasonable solution appears to be the construction of a new library on a new site."
If the bond issue fails and the Library is not able to raise the local cost share, then the $1,258,862,94 construction grant will be forfeited, and the new library will not be built.
The library would continue to operate in the current facility. Funds would need to be spent on maintenance and repair, including replacing air conditioning systems.
It is unlikely that the Public Library Construction Act Grant program would be funded again in the near future (the last one was in 2012). The Library would need to raise over $1.2 million to renovate the current building and bring it up to code with a new elevator and additional stairway, or raise the full $2.5 million to build a new library.
What are the issues with the current building?
- · Programs and meetings are held upstairs in small rooms, which limits attendance size and accessibility.
- · The elevator is old and unreliable and is too small to meet ADA requirements. It needs to be completely replaced including a new shaft.
- · A second stairway is required to meet code.
- · The upstairs is currently cooled with inefficient window air conditioners. One of the air conditioning units for the downstairs needs to be replaced soon.
- · Renovating the current building would cost more than $1.2 million. A two story building is more difficult to supervise, requiring additional staff members and increasing operating costs.
Other options were considered:
The Board convened a Community Focus Group in 2016 to discuss building issues and possible options. It soon became apparent that accurate cost estimates for the various options were needed. In 2017 the Board of Trustees began working with Dr. Frederick Schlipf, a well-known and respected Library Building Consultant and professor at the U of I Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Urbana-Champaign, and with Mark Misselhorn, from Apace Design + Architects in Peoria. They were asked to look at our current facility and provide cost estimates for remodeling this building, as well as to analyze other options.
Their complete report is below. The bottom of page 1 states, "Our conclusion, outlined in detail below, is that the most economical and functional solution is to start over with a new building designed as a library." Dr. Schlipf's recommendation on the final page of the document is the same, "The only reasonable solution appears to be the construction of a new library on a new site."
| dr._schlipf_memo_options_and_conclusion_3-4-2018.pdf |
The Community Uses Our Library
* checking out physical books, movies, and audio books
* reading newspapers and magazines
*accessing our on-line databases and free downloadable e-books and audiobooks
* using computers, Wifi, printer/copier and Fax machine.
*participating in programs and events
* using our spaces to study, work, or hold meetings
This report of usage of Library materials and
services from July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 may be downloaded from this link:
CPLD year in review 19-20
Values were calculated using the American Library Association's Library Value Calculator at:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/library-value-calculator.
* checking out physical books, movies, and audio books
* reading newspapers and magazines
*accessing our on-line databases and free downloadable e-books and audiobooks
* using computers, Wifi, printer/copier and Fax machine.
*participating in programs and events
* using our spaces to study, work, or hold meetings
This report of usage of Library materials and
services from July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 may be downloaded from this link:
CPLD year in review 19-20
Values were calculated using the American Library Association's Library Value Calculator at:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/library-value-calculator.
