Revitalizing Our Library A building program our community

Revitalizing Our Library A building program our community deserves.

Serving Our Community • Opened in 1909 using our beloved and historic stone building as our original base of operation • Grown in 102 years to include the 19 th century clapboard building and a 1979 addition connecting the two buildings • Community has come to rely on the library has a place where our friends and neighbors create their future through life long learning and our children learn to treasure our history

The Library Helps the Community Close to 95, 000 visits in 2010

The Library Helps the Community Building size limits our collection but our circulation keeps growing. Topped 82, 000 last year.

The Library Helps the Community Our public computers were used over 7, 000 times by our community.

The Library Helps the Community Our programs for children, teens and adults continue to expand.

The Library Helps the Community Our staff answered over 3, 000 reference questions.

The Library Helps the Community • The dollar value of the Library’s programs and services is over $1. 2 M • For every tax dollar paid--$230, 132 --the community receives a public service return on investment of $4. 13 for all the Library’s programs and services

Now, the Library Needs Our Help. • The walls of our beloved and historically important 18 th century building are quite literally falling down undermined by the heavy traffic on Route 209 • Ugly buttresses are a short term solution • Half way through their 10 year life span

Now, the Library Needs Our Help. • Not just the outside walls • Inside there a constant array of repairs needed – – – Leaky windows Ceiling problems Cracked Walls Bad plumbing Electrical issues

Now, the Library Needs Our Help.

Now, the Library Needs Our Help. • The Library has to spend more money just to keep the building safe – $3, 500 spent in June to have the buttresses reassessed and repairs done • • No access to local history collection No dedicated space for Teens and Tweens Inadequate and, at times, inoperable bathrooms Cracked walls and windows make it difficult to efficiently heat and cool

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2005 – Severe cracks in walls as well as ceiling issues leads to Historic Structures report – Report determined walls separating from each other and roof shifting. – Cause is combination of the weight of the book collections and soil compaction from traffic of 209.

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2005 – Report recommended exterior buttresses and interior roof tie-rods as temporary fixes – Installed crack monitors to measure movement within the building – SRL Foundation formed with the intention of creating an endowment for Library operating costs

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2006 – Buttresses erected – Engineered to give stabilization for a maximum of ten years – Funded by State Library Construction Grant administered through the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS)

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2007 – MHLS conducted focus groups which included diverse groups representing a broad range of the community. The results were: • • Keep the library as an anchor building on Main St. Need more quiet space and study area Too cramped Want an updated facility for good collection storage and visibility • Conducted Architect interviews.

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2008 – Butler, Rowland, Mays, Architects hired to prepare Master plan for building project – Master Plans was completed in December of 2008 and shared with Town Hall

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2009 – Foundation hired Wade Associates to do capital campaign feasibility study for the building project – Determined that $500, 00 could be raised privately but the remainder of the project would need to be funded through public community based funding

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2010 – Evaluated Flemming building as alternative to adding square footage to existing buildings. – Analysis found costs of bringing the building up to code for library usage, along with land acquisition and the need for double staffing, would make the project more costly than adding a new addition – Would also not provide the same usable space as could be achieved by a new addition – Foundation continues private fund raising, but is not reaching its goal • SRL Board decides to pursue a building referendum

How We Got to Where We Are • In 2011 – Library works with Town leadership to schedule referendum vote on October 12 th – Foundation continues to raise money – $307, 000 has been raised year to date – Library begins public education efforts with multiple public presentation throughout summer and fall, mailings to the entire town and stories in the local media

Library Revitalization Project • Stabilize and rehab the Library’s 18 th and 19 th century buildings – The buttresses come down • Replace the 1979 addition with a larger space • Use as much green technology as possible • Maximize energy efficiencies

Library Revitalization Project 3, 245 sq. ft. of new construction + Replacement of 1, 295 sq. ft. of 1979 addition = 4, 540 sq. ft. addition Original 17 th and 18 th century buildings: +/- 4, 100 sq. ft.

Library Revitalization Project • Original 18 th Century stone building will house – Media (DVDs, CDs, Audio. Books) – Periodicals – Local History Collection • 19 th Century clapboard building will house the children’s collection

Library Revitalization Project • Addition (comprised of replacing 1, 295 sq. ft. 1979 addition and 3, 245 sq. ft of new construction) will house – Adult collection – Dedicated Teen/Tween space – Enhanced library operations and circulation space – New restrooms – New all-day use program space – Wrap around reading porch – Public Computers

Library Revitalization Project • Plans call for Library to be as “green” as possible with potential use of – Geothermal heating and cooling – Solar energy – Daylight harvesting • Wi-Fi throughout enabling patrons to use their laptops both inside and outside the Library

Library Revitalization Project • New space will be open and flexible to accommodate changing nature of library collections • Throughout the Library there will be comfortable seating and quiet space for research and reading

Library Revitalization Project Design melds the innovative technologies of the 21 st century library with the historic charm and importance of the 18 th and 19 th centuries.

Library Revitalization Project • Many have asked, “why now? ” – We think Marbletown deserves a 21 st century library – Will help to create local jobs • Local contractors will have the ability to bid on various parts of the project – Same model as Saugerties where a number of local contractors were awarded bids – Construction costs are lower • We’ll be able to maximize the effectiveness of the bond funding

Library Revitalization Project • Why Now? – Will help to enhance economic development of Main St. • Studies and real life experience have shown that Library projects help keep the country’s downtowns vibrant – As the economy improves, the project costs will increase

Library Revitalization Project • Will the Library operating budget increase? – Building design is geared to present staffing levels – Experience shows, if you build it, they will come – Will probably need to add two staff members based on increased usage – Increased energy costs will mostly be offset by a more secure thermal envelope and making the Library as green as possible

What is the Cost? Site Acquisition $0. 00 Site Prep, Demolition, Development $295, 000. 00 Stabilization/Renovation 18 th Century Building (North) $652, 000. 00 Stabilization/Renovation 19 th Century Building (South) $249, 000. 00 New construction/addition Contingencies Sub-total Hard Costs $1, 506, 000. 00 $440, 000. 00 $3, 142, 000. 00 Furnishings $150, 000. 00 Soft Costs (Architectural, Legal, Bonding Fees, Surveying, Testing, etc. ) $700, 000. 00 Total Public Funding (Bonds) $3, 992, 000. 00

Can It Cost More? • Butler, Rowland, Mays Architects have a clear track record of bringing the construction costs in under budget • Any additional costs will have to covered by grants and private fund raising by the SRL Foundation • Unlike the Ulster County Jail – Library board can’t vote to increase cost to taxpayer

What About Grants? • State Library Construction Grants for this type of project are available only if the bond passes – Saugerties received $158, 750 for its new building – Wisner received $251, 489 – Gardiner received $149, 438 • Funds used to enhance projects

How Does It Break Down? • $3, 992, 000 bond is total community based funding need for the project • Taxpayer responsibility – 32. 6 cents per $1, 000 of assessed value – For a Marbletown home assessed at $250, 000, annual cost over the 20 year life of the bond would be $81. 55 – Is $1. 57/week, less than a cup of coffee, too much to ask for our community?

Library Revitalization Project • Wednesday, October 12 th, chance to vote for a $3. 992 million bond referendum to finance the library’s revitalization • Bonding through the town – Similar to taking out a mortgage • All registered voters in Town of Marbletown are eligible to vote • Absentee ballots available at Library

Library Revitalization Project • Our commitment is to pursue grants and private fund raising • Your commitment is to vote on Wednesday, October 12 th • Polls at the Library • Open 10 a. m. to 8 p. m.