CLINTON —
A new approach is being taken to repair the more than century-old Clinton Public Library.
“We’re looking at the bigger picture,” Library Director Amy Birtell said.
Birtell gave the Clinton City Council Committee of the Whole an update on the library Tuesday. In addition to a top 10 list of good things going on at the library, including a 4,500 book circulation increase in May 2012 compared to May 2011, and an earlier-than-scheduled creation of a young adult section, Birtell discussed some of the crucial improvements planned for the library. Birtell said she will focus on implementing a strategic plan to work on library improvements in stages rather than project-by-project.
“We want to take care of the existing structure based on the vote of the people,” Birtell said.
More than 64 percent of voters rejected a referendum to relocate the library in 2010.
Birtell said she would like to pursue an architectural study of the building to figure out the best way to move forward with renovations using a strategic plan. After the architectural study, the library would focus on fundraising and applying for various grants.
“We really need the support of the public,” she said.
Library trustee Ruthann Papke said the plan will help the library obtain grant funds for the improvements.
“I think it’s paramount...to have the outline of what we should do to the building itself so that then we can write grants to that outline,” Papke said.
One of the projects currently slated to be completed with grant funding is the reconstruction of the circulation desk. The desk will be completely redone thanks to a David O. Shaff grant. Birtell said the new desk will be handicap accessible and nearly identical to the existing circulation desk.
The desk will be completed by September. Other crucial building repairs will not be as easy to complete.
According to Birtell, preliminary figures for repairs include $125,000 for tuck pointing and $30,000 for storm windows. Gary Watters, who has been working with the city of Clinton grounds and facilities department on the repairs, also shared at the COW meeting that the plaster inside the library is cracking and a stained glass window is nearly ready to fall out.
Watters said a complete list of repair cost is currently being compiled.
“We’re doing emergency repairs on a shoe-string budget,” Watters said. “We have no money to keep up with repairs.”
The library budget was cut by $50,000 for fiscal year 2013.
“She’s in good shape. She just needs some tender loving care,” Watters said of the building.
Local News
Related Photos
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Circulation clerk Jordan Berry and page Catt Cole work behind the circulation desk at the Clinton Public Library on Tuesday. The front desk is one of the items in the library already slated for repair. Katie Dahlstrom/Clinton Herald
Discussion
June 27, 2012
Library eyes bigger picture
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