The Public Library got a reprieve from the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) last week.
The MBLC is opening a new grant round for funding public libraries across the commonwealth. This new round would offer more money to reimburse towns in their programs. The old formula dropped fairly quickly for mid-to-large projects. The new formula would improve the percentages for those projects. In Shrewsbury's case, the funding could be increased to $8.6 Million from $3.9 Million.
The purpose of the new funding is to increase the reimbursements from around 30% to around 50%, and to encourage the use of green technology. The MBLC still has around $80-90M from the original $100M bond, and they don't want it taken away by the rest of the budget. The money hasn't been disbursed already because other municipalities have been unable to go ahead with their projects with such low funding. Hence the increase in the funding for this new round.
It would bring the taxpayer's cost of the entire renovation project almost to the level of the repair cost.
Under proposed regulations for this new round, grant recipients would have to reapply to get the new formula. Shrewsbury is at the top of the current list of funding recipients and a new application would throw them back in the pool of applicants.
Library Trustee Laurie Hogan, Director Ellen Dolan, and State Rep. Karyn Polito met with leaders of the MBLC, last week to ask the MBLC to grandfather Shrewsbury's project into the new funding at the head of the line. They were told that such a request would not be possible, but they might be willing to give Shrewsbury some preference through a streamlined approach because we have reached significant benchmarks including the establishment of fundaising foundation and acceptence by town leaders. Ellen has reviewed the proposed regulations, and has suggestions to amend the regulations.
"We can get an eighteen million dollar building for around six million dollars." — Library trustee, Laurie HoganThe trustees asked the Selectmen to remove the article from the November 3, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant. The trustees still plan to report their plan to the Town Meeting for discussion.
The trustees would also seek an extension of the current grant from December 31, 2009 to June 30, 2010, which would retain our priority under the curent round of (lower) funding. The town cannot reapply if we are still on the list, so once a decision has been made to reapply the town would formally withdraw from the current list.
37 comments:
So we can spend 6 million and get a new building or spend 5 million to renovate the crappy old building? Maybe this library is a good idea after all.
The states budget dropped 200 million this month alone. With more cuts coming down the pike for Shrewsbury's services how can the tax payers again be asked to foot a 6 million dollar bill along with Sherwood?? Everything should be on the back burner until the town gets its staffing levels back and stops asking the municipal departments to do more with less. The infrastructure of this town is crumbling. Roads, minus 140 and Rt. 9 are in shambles and there are many buildings not just schools that need replacing. Enough is enough.
to the poster at 11:29...
but isnt that the point. if you don't do regular scheduled maintenance at some point you get behind the eight ball and trying to get out from under it appears impossible. We can't continue to just stick our head in the sand indefinitely
I agree, the hunker down and lets see what happens mentality is not the solution. As debt comes down on other projects, the town needs to continually look at repairing or adding to infrastructure. The longer we wait, the worse the cost will be. The town should have built the addition correctly the first time around. Instead, it appears they took the cheap way and now we are stuck looking at more money to fix the problem. Why was this allowed to happen?????
How many buildings in town could stand to be replaced with shiny, new ones? Most of them! The library is the last building that needs replacement. The talk about the roof leaking is a bunch of lies. Just walk in there when it's raining and look for roof leaks yourself. none!!
Libraries are nearly obsolete. Who goes to a library for information anymore? With e-books here, the library should be shrinking. But no. The library zealots want a new, giant building that they can fill with non-library things. There are already so many DVDs and tapes, the library put Blockbuster out of business. There's literally tons of Play Station games. These items have no business being in a library. The zealots will tell you that there's evolution at hand. The truth is that the library's time has come and gone and they are just looking for reasons to justify their jobs. The state got snookered by the Mass Turnpike. Let's not let the library do the same thing to Shrewsbury.
to the poster at 6:47am, your arguements are without merit.
>>> the library is obsolete.
Not based upon the increased attendance?
>>>the library put Blockbuster out of business.
The librbary has far fewer video content than any Blockbuster. Highly unlikely BlockBuster ever thought there first line of competion was municpal libraries. Blockbuster is still in business, albeit much smaller. The demise of Blockbuster was due to Netflix and to a less extent Redbox.
>>> with e-books here the library should be shrinking.
Yes the holy grail has beeen achieved. Care to provide some numbers about costs, e-book copywright infringments, e-book penetration into the 'librbary space'
Shrewsbury is the 2nd busiest library in
Central MA. It's the closest thing we have
to a community center. It serves thousands
of people of all ages whenever it is open.
Our residents are active users of the
wide range of programs & services offered.
It is a vital town resource. The library repairs
& expansion have been on the docket for
nearly 10 years. Leveraging the state grant
makes a great deal of sense -- NOW!
Shrewsbury is a cash poor town.
There is not enough money to
give our hardworking teachers
the raise they deserve without
an override. Sherwood
desperately needs to be
replaced- another override.
The Police Station is tired-
another override.
The Shrewsbury library is the
2nd busiest library in Central
MA. Let's expand it to almost
double it's existing size and
get the #1 ranking. It's only
one more override.
It is pretty straight forward. If the cost to repair, is approximately equal to the cost of replacement, how does it not get voted in? The state funding wont be there forever, and the longer we wait, the more construction costs will continue to rise. It may have been a tough decision when we needed to come up with like 12 Million, but now it seems like a no brainer. The people who complain about this are going to complain about any project no matter what it is. They would argue "Repair! Repair! We Don't Need to Replace!". Well in this instance, you get more for your same buck!
Not one of the library advocates ever mentions the other upcoming overrides. They don't care that we taxpayers are on the hook for all of them and we have limited resources. Seems pretty selfish.
The repair cost can be made smaller than the estimate that is floating around. For example, no grants or donations are included with the repair estimate, but surely there will be some. Also the nature of the repairs is in question. How much is reasonable to fix the roof considering it's no longer leaking? Why must the porous cellar walls be fixed from the outside when inside sealers are available? The entire building has an assessed value of $850,000, but library advocates want us to believe it will take $5,000,000+ to fix it? We ain't buyin' it.
Blah, Blah, Blah - enough with your whining about fixed incomes. Even if you work, your income is fixed! Why should we let this town crumble because you are too cheap? Many of the complainers in the "No" crowd do VERY well for themselves. They are just cheap when it comes to providing for a community. If you don't like it, why do you stay in this town? We can't let infrastructure crumble because of your attitude. Weren't there people on fixed incomes when you were in school? When your children were reaping the benefit of our school system? Were you cheap then? I doubt it. Put some actual true facts out about why you don't believe it is a feasible project. Why don't you work for the good of the community?
An $18 million building for $6 million sounds like a great deal until we consider the facts.
The new building will be colossal, far larger than is needed by a town the size of Shrewsbury.
There will be a huge added cost to heat and staff it, but there is no money in the town budget to pay for it.
One of the main reasons for the project is to correct maintence problems, hardly a reason to replace the building.
The added space is not intended to significantly increse the book collection. It's to create some kind of community center. However the town already has a community center with plenty space for the public- the Senior Center.
The question is not about whether the library project is a good deal. The question is about whether the town needs it and can afford it.
On several times in the past I have contacted the Sr. Center about having a meeting during the day, and the director did not return my numerous emails or even my phone calls. I have heard the same from many others. Just go ahead and try to get the building at night. How many non Senior and non town events do you see happening in that so called community center? Maybe we should move the Council on Aging to the new library and give the current Senior Center to the Police for their needs?
The director is not the regular booker at the Senior Center. If the previous poster had actually called even once that would be known. I think the obviously unfounded slam of the director is shameful and I don't know why Mark allows such posts.
That said, it is true that it is hard to book evening hours at the Senior Center unless something else is going on.
The library does have a big meeting room upstairs with tables and dozens of chairs. Evening hours are available. The price is $50/hr. which is ridiculous although certain exempted groups get in for free. They say the price is due to the budget cuts, but can anyone foresee a time when the budget won't be tight? So I guess the new library will be more of the same.
The Fire Station has a classroom that is both free and available in the evening. That's really your best bet for evening meetings.
Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good rant...again!!
1) It won't be an entirely new building. The historic portions of the current library will remain. It's the eyesore addition that is failing and causing all the problems. That will be torn down
2) The energy efficient addition will be MORE cost effective to operate and heat that the existing building -- costs will be the same or better
3) At most a half time employee will be needed. There will be no need for a big staff increase as the renovations will make the existing staff more efficient
4) We don't have nearly enough space for BOOKS, let alone computers and other resources the library offers. If you generously donate a book today, another existing book needs to be thrown out before your new book can be shelved.
5) The size of the renovated and expanded library fits the state requirements for libraries for a town this size. We don't get the grant without fitting the criteria.
6) There is NO state grant for bandaid fixes and diminishing services, which is what would happen under the fix it only mentality.
7) If you look at the town seal and old pictures of the town center, you will see a building that looks an awful lot like the proposed library addition -- the project is historically accurate and appropriate for the space.
Enough with spreading false information, already! One in three Shrewsbury residents has an active library card -- we use this place!!
The library situation should go to the ballot box and let the voters decide. If people say no, then back to the drawing board. The threat of state funding not being available in the future is not a reason to vote yes. State funding will be available down the road, it could be more or it could be less. This should be decided on it's merits.
The sad part of the previous poster's mis-information is that this garbage is being spread around town. Dear readers, please look at the library's web site and check out the proposed new library, including the frequently asked questions(FAQ) link.
Here's a few facts from that link.
Fact: The new library will have nearly double the space as the existing library. That size was picked to serve the projected town population in 2025.
My comment: Even if the town does grow that big, for the next 15 years the town will be heating, cooling and maintaining a building that is much larger than is needed. No 15 year total is available for the unneeded cost, but it'll be steep.
Fact: The operating cost will be 17%-20% higher than the current building.
My comment: This is a best case scenario based on optimistic assumptions. Afterall, the new building will be almost twice as big. Also, any budget increase for the library will have come at the expense of the schools as municipal services have already been cut to the bone. Are parents willing to pay more school fees?
Fact: Only one additional part time librarian will be needed IF new high tech projects can be implemented to save librarian time. Extra paid book re-stockers and extra cleaning staff WILL be needed.
My comment: The new high tech projects are more wishful thinking than being close to implementation. Realistically, there will be a need a for a lot more than one half time librarian since the building is being doubled in size. Like any sales pitch, all projected costs have been minimized. Caveat Emptor.
To the 2:37 poster:
What part is "garbage"? The part where this should not be decided on the amount of state aid or the part that says let the voters decide? You sound like a no person, the merits of the project and the will of the voters be damned. Will you be running in the upcoming special election to become the czar of Shrewsbury and replace the BOS and town manager?
Thank you to any and all posters who have suggested people should look for themselves at information about the library renovation. I just looked at the floor plans posted on the library's website and I was amazed at the amount of space dedicated to tables and desks and places for people to spend time at the library. It seems really over the top to me. Upon further reading of the needs assessment, it appears that they did in fact go above and beyond the recommended number of seats for a library for a town this size (including population growth). I love libraries and I used to work at one, but this proposal for the library building looks too grandiose to me. It's too bad there isn't an alternate plan somewhere between this proposal and just doing the needed repairs/renovations. Is it too late for a scaled-down option?
Kathy
The library plan looks too grandiose? Perhaps what we have here is a lack of vacation time.
If we took more vacations we would be able to visit the central branch of the New York Public Library (built largely with private donations), or the Library of Congress (built entirely with public funds), or Wagner Library at Harvard (built entirely with private funds). These are grandiose buildings, but they leave no doubt as to the priorities of the builders.
What are our priorities?
In reply to 'what is garbage'... The previous 7 item pro-library list contains half truths and untruths. That makes it garbage. Just read the Library's on-line information to get the facts for yourself.
One of the questions the town must answer is: Do we need this big library? Another question is: Can we afford this big library? You sound like one of those yes people with no concept of the Sherwood replacement cost or the needed operational override to pay for teacher raises. Please step back and look at the big picture.
An override is a pricey and emotional event for the town. Town Meeting should be damned sure there is widespread voter support before approving one. So far this writer hasn't seen it except for a few contributors to this blog.
Really -- half truths and untruths in the seven itemized points? Care to rebut point by point. All looks accurate and factual to me.
For the person who had issues with the word 'grandiose', which of these other words is a more accurate adjective for the proposed library- over-sized, expensive, extravagant, ridiculous?
For the other person who didn't know what the half truths were, please read the FAQ on the library's web site. If there are still questions about the mis-information, let us know.
The feasibility study that was done in 2004 outlines three options 1)do nothing, 2)renovate and expand 3)build new on another site.
The third option appears to be the better plan since there is more than enough town owned land available, to renovate will require the rental of space and the move of all the books to another location, building new would provide plenty of parking in a more accesible location, building new the structure could be one story which would be cheaper for handicap accessibility, the consultants claim a one story building requires fewer staff than a multi-story
building.
The decision to renovate, tear down,and build anew was apparently made on the basis that a focus group liked the old 1903 structure in the center of town. Surely if we built a new modern structure on town owned land it would be cheaper and the old structure could be used for meeting rooms that many people seem to feel is lacking in the town today.
There is plenty of meeting space in town at the Senior Center plus there is plenty of parking to go with it. What's missing is an evening caretaker at the Senior Center, so the place is locked at night. Wouldn't hiring a part time caretaker be the most cost effective solution for the town's meeting room needs?
Dear 12:01 pm,
Thank you for missing my point so completely, or perhaps ignoring it to further your own myopic argument. I am actually a big fan of grandiosity. To my ear it does not carry the negative connotation that over-sized, expensive, extravagant, and ridiculous all share.
Again, what are our priorities? All the other projects that are discussed here have merit, and downsides as well.
The only concept I cannot support is this foolish idea that we have a responsibility to keep our tax rate among the lowest in the Commonwealth (including very low service communities) in order to prevent our selectmen from being voted out of office (and presumably losing the lucrative $4.11 per day salary, and the vast perks of holding such a respected and coveted office). Surely what else could be the consequence of an operational override? Seniors starving in the dark? I doubt it.
People don't have enough bread? Well let them eat cake!
The grandiose library will go on. Tax wise, the people of Shrewsbury have had it too good for too long. Make them pay! We won't listen to sob stories about school fees or lost jobs or fixed incomes. In fact, we should just skip the override vote and start taxing them now.
The library building proposed is not oversized or grandiose. It is sized to meet a library PROGRAM that will meet the needs of our town for the next 40+ years. The only way a design gets approved by the Library Commissioners is if it follows the guidelines and parameters set out by the state. THAT'S HOW YOU QUALIFY FOR STATE MATCHING FUNDS. If you want a smaller, cheaper solution then you forego the state library grant program and do it solely on the town's dime. That worked out well when we did it in 1979, didn't it?
If you do the research and read about how communities are using libraries, the functions have expanded well beyond just checking out books. Shrewsbury does not have a community center; the library does serve some of those functions. Since our middle school and high school students do not have access to their "media centers" after the end of the school day, the public library is a good, safe place for them to meet and read and study. Community groups can use the meeting rooms at the library.
When the Senior Center was built, nearby residential neighbors were given a "wink-wink" assurance that there would generally be no evening activities at the Senior Center. That was to placate the neighbors who were concerned about light and noise in the evening hours and convince them to support the project. Maybe that's why community groups are often rebuffed by the Sr. Center Director AND the people who answer the phone there.
It's time for Shrewsbury voters to step up and support the building projects, both library and Sherwood MS, while we have a unique opportunity to leverage state grants. Will we need an operating override soon to shore up the costs to run these buildings and maintain staff salaries & benefits for all town departments? Probably YES.
Believe it or not, if you want services like police, fire, parks & rec, road plowing, library and senior center, you actually have to pay for them. This is a fact which seems to escape some of the "no new taxes" folks here in town, who would probably never vote YES for any override or a new building project.
The proposed library is indeed much bigger than is needed now. The size is based on the projected Shrewsbury population in 2025. This is a requirement to get State matching funds. The big question is: does Shrewsbury NEED such a large building?
Old fashioned libraries are becoming obsolete. The internet is now the major source of non-fiction. Library proponents are searching for new roles for the modern day library in an attempt to keep people coming back. Their solution is to offer DVDs and games and to become the town's community center.
The town already has a community center. It's the Senior Center. Simply put, there is no money for another one. Even if a new library could be built for free, the town cannot afford to staff, heat and cool it.
The idea of an operating override is not realistic. An overwhelming majority of voters don't want more taxes.
So now what? Forget the new community center idea. Instead, use the Senior Center. Anyone can get meeting space simply by calling and asking for it. The previous poster's complaints about people being rebuffed are completely untrue. Also their meeting rooms are free. The library charges $50 per hour for their meeting room.
To the 10/21 poster - I have tried to book the Senior Center for a meeting and at first did not get a call back. After leaving several messages, the response was, "oh, sorry, it is booked on that date." I think if I tried to book it two years in advance I would have gotten the same response! The town pays for that building and it should be available to people of all ages. Why can't it be used as a Community Center? Many other communities have a mixed use building. With a budget as tight as it is and next year looking even worse, it is time to think out of the box and meet the needs of more people.
To the previous poster... For a meeting at the Senior Center, please call Michele at 508-841-8644. She does the booking. Most recently, I called while she was at lunch and left a message. She called me back within an hour. I wanted both day time and evening hours. She gave me the day time room, but suggested I check with the Fire Station, Town Hall or Library for the evening hours. She was courteous and professional. I do not know why you had a problem, but it's untrue to say they are that way with everyone.
The budget for next year will be tight. We need to make better use of the buildings we have. One idea that is 'thinking out of the box' is to have the Senior Center open at night. That would we be far cheaper than the library proposal.
If you're serious about ALL of Shrewsbury using the Senior Center as a community center, how about putting some skateboarding ramps at the end of the parking lot so all the middle school kids whose parents can't pay the $50 per activity fee have some place besides the Mobil station to skateboard? Invite Mommy and Me fitness inside? Host a singles dance? The building is there, but it is NOT open to the whole town.
Do you think the new library will have ramps for skateboarding? Do you think it'll have Mommy and Me fitness classes or singles dances? Probably not...
Bur hopefully you called Michele and now agree it's easy to book a meeting room at the Senior Center, no matter who are!
To the poster regarding booking the Senior Center. I am curious about the reason for the request. I also think their is some underlying bias about which groups are allowed to use the Senior Center. That is a great building and should not be dark and shuttered most evenings. I would imagine that the majority of seniors who use the building would not have a problem with more utilization of it.
To the Tuesday 7:45 a.m. poster:
If you read the needs assessment on the library's website, it clearly states that the proposal EXCEEDS the minimum needs. Therefore a slightly smaller, less grandiose building should also qualify for state funds.
In my experience, the Senior Center is not welcoming to non-senior groups. People at the Senior Center have made negative comments when Lilliput pre-school had a student show there (with many kids & families in attendance) a couple of years ago, complaining of the noise. I have personally tried to book a meeting room for a local group and have not had success. There seems to be a great reluctance to allow non-senior groups in there. Also, for evening events, I also heard that there was an unwritten policy to not have evening activities at the Senior Center on a regular basis, so as to not negatively impact the neighbors on Gage Lane. I have never had a problem booking a room at the library and have never been asked to pay a fee to use the room for a Shrewsbury-based group. At the schools a fee is required to cover the cost of the janitor. However, if the school building is ALREADY open for another purpose, your group may not have to pay a fee. I think if it was meant to be a "community" center, it would be called Shrewsbury Community Center and would have facilities geared to all age groups.
To the 10:22 p.m. poster:
Lilliput had their kindergarten and 1st grade spring show at the Senior Center this past spring, so complaints from a previous year did not prevent Lilliput from being able to use the space again. I don't have any other experience with the Senior Center, so I can't comment on their overall availability.
Kathy
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