Growth OKd for Kids’ Section of Library
City officials have approved a proposal to expand the children’s section of the main library but could not agree on exactly how to accomplish the plan.
An architect submitted plans that would increase the children’s space from 540 to 4,000 square feet by enclosing a patio and taking over an adjacent meeting room at a cost of $1.6 million.
Although City Council members agree that expansion is necessary because of increased demand for children’s books and services, they were split on whether the meeting room should be used. The meeting room often is rented to community groups and is used for youth reading programs.
Council members now are seeking alternative plans that would expand the children’s section at the same cost or less, without taking the meeting room. Should that be impossible, the council said it would vote for the original plan.
“For 15 years I have heard nothing but ‘The children’s section is too small,’ ” Councilman F. Richard Jones said. “This is the priority here.”
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