Voters approve library bond

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

A solid turnout of 835 city residents cast 75 percent of their votes in favor of the $1.5 million library expansion bond Tuesday night, easily surpassing the two-thirds majority needed for approval of the measure.

A total of 624 voters said yes to the bond and 211 said no, with three ballots spoiled, according to unofficial election returns Tuesday night.

The city is expected to move forward with the sale of the bonds at the earliest possible time, in order to rapidly proceed with engineering design and the letting of contracts. If all things go well, the expansion could be completed by this time next year.

The library expects to use a phased approach to the construction, allowing it to remain open while the work is done.

The expansion project calls for approximately $1 million in physical construction costs to more than double the existing size of the library, and another half a million dollars in furnishings, fixtures, books and various fees to architects and engineers.

The expanded library will feature a major expansion of the juvenile department, a large addition to the adult section, more public access computer workstations, and a "Barnes and Noble," coffee-bar lounge area for people to relax.

"The library board is very grateful to the voters, all of them, who took the time to participate in the process, and of course we're pleased with the result," said library board chairman Kelly Everitt, who praised the bond publicity committee for its efforts. "This will give us an opportunity to expand and improve our service to the community for many years."

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