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WHY CANT THE LIBRARY BE EXPANDED AT ITS PRESENT SITE? Originally. our plans called for adding a secondjloor to the existing facility. however. a structural engineering study has since shown that the building willnot hold a secondjloor loaded with bookstacks. It would be possible.to'adda second floor to the library anduse.it exclusively for reading' rooms, meeting rooms..and office areas. However. this would crealea highly dysfunctional library operalion and we would still run out of shelving space in a very short period of time. Other options for expansion al our . current site include' expanding the library by 4.000 square feet on the ground floor or adding an 8.000 square-foot, tWO-story addition behind~ the library. Neither of these oplionswill provide enough additional spat:e to meet the minimum space standardsfor our current community. much less meet our needsfor long- term growth. WHEKE WILL THE NEW LIBRARY BE BUILT? Current planscallfor constructing a 27.000 square-foot library on East HoplcinsStreetacross from St. Johns Catholic Church. . The library would be a one-storyfacilìty which would be designed and engineered so that a second floor' could eventually' be added when it is needed. Long term plansfor the site also include eventual construction of a multi.- purposeaclivitycenter. The activity center would be built in threephases and would include meeting rooms. gymnasiums. arts and crafts studios. and an indoor swimming pool. Having the library and recrealion center in close proximity willma/œ it very convenient for families.lo enjoy the use of bothfacilitks and should result in greater usage of both. Parkingfor the two facilities canaisobe' shmed. The proposed library site offers a number of advantages. It is centrally located, highly 'llisible and easily accessible to all parts. of town. Acces- sibility will befurtherenJumced when the city builds a proposed bikewayl waJJr.wayfrom the County Courthouse to City Hall. The site is also large enough to provide ample room for expansion of both the building and parkinginfuture years.. Finally. because. the land is already owned by the city. weare able to eliminate the high cost of purchasing landfor a new library . ISN'T THE NEW UBRARY SITE ON DEDICA TED PARKLAND? Yes, theproposed site has been dedicated as park land and it will require passage of a public referendum to enable us to build a library there. However. the Parlcsand Recreation Advisory Board has been very supportìveofour plans to build a library on this site. The City Attorney has also indicated that it will be possible to word the referendum so thal it will enable. a library to be builton the land while insuring that the remainder of the tract will continue to be dedicated as park land.