Library News

Library Board Recommends Gazette Block to Council

The Cedar Rapids Public Library moved one step closer today to restoring library service devastated by the floods of 2008. The Library’s Board of Trustees selected the Gazette Communications block as their target for the new library.

Board President Susan Corrigan expressed, “While the decision was difficult, we believe that we have selected a site that will withstand the test of time and establish the library as an icon that will be cherished for generations to come. The public weighed in heavily in the decision by desiring a site that has connection with its surroundings, safety from the potential of future flooding, and ample parking. To ensure a swift return of a top notch main library, it is time for the community to unite.”

The site recommendation will be made at the Feb 10th City Council meeting, with a final decision expected at the Feb 24th City Council meeting.

1) What is the reasoning behind choosing this location? The key attributes of the chosen location were the site’s presence, availability of parking, mitigation of potential future flooding, and the time line for its availability. Feedback was received from the public over many months and weighed heavily into the decision. Total cost of a library at the various sites was a factor; however, cost was relatively the same among the sites evaluated when parking solutions were considered.

2) Why don’t you just go back to the old library site? FEMA issued a mandatory relocation of the library in October 2009. FEMA will provide no funding to rebuild if the library returns to the former 1st Street site. Location in the 100 year flood plain is prohibited and the 500 year flood plain is discouraged. Without FEMA funding, our community would face funding a massive rebuilding project on its own.

3) Why aren’t you recommending parking underneath the building when evaluating various sites? It is costly. Building parking underneath a building is the most expensive solution of the various parking solutions proposed. Sites are no longer cost competitive when this option is included.

4) Why did you only look at locations within the downtown area? Cedar Rapids operates its library system to conserve spending and achieve economies of scale through a main facility. The main facility is supplemented by a west side branch and libraries in Marion and Hiawatha. The Trustees sought a site that would be centrally located in the downtown quadrant for service coverage and equitable patron access. Before the flood, the library was the most visited venue downtown. The Trustees remain committed to a full-service west side branch.

5) Why is the Board of Trustees interested in this process moving quickly? There are financial and qualitative reasons for moving quickly. Financially, the IJOBS money awarded in 2009 has a three-year limit. Qualitatively, our circulation is nearly half our pre-flood statistics. We believe a generation of children is growing up without the literacy impact of a public library.

6) Why is parking such an important issue? In a 2009 survey of the public, 86.4% of respondents ranked convenient parking as the most important facility feature and has been a repeat theme from months of public input. The Board of Trustees recognizes that parking is a serious issue for patrons and factored the ability to have free, and convenient parking into the decision making process. Additionally, prevailing code states that you need three parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet of building you construct.

7) Why do we need a library building? Aren’t books going to go away? We seek to be leaders for a top notch, technology savvy library. Even today, patrons have the ability to download audiobooks. Libraries are “knowledge hubs” and “community gathering spaces”. While virtual access of information will continue to grow in leaps and bounds, libraries fulfill the physical need for interpersonal, community and knowledge connection. We recognize the uncertainty in the future and will build a facility that is adaptable. Like the growth in computers at libraries, we need to ensure that as technology changes that information remains readily accessible to all. Libraries fulfill that role.

8) What will happen to the old building? No decision has been made relating to the old building. This decision rests with City and City Council.

9) What are the next steps? The municipal code provides that the Library Board the ability to construct and operate a library while giving the City Council the power to purchase land. Both groups have a role in this important decision. The Library Board’s recommendation moves to City Council for consideration later in February. Once both groups with decision rights are satisfied, a site acquisition process begins with FEMA.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Wins Appeal for Temporary Relocation Assistance

The Cedar Rapids Public Library received notice on December 23, 2009, that FEMA has approved the second appeal for temporary relocation assistance following the devastating flood of 2008, stating that the Library does, in fact, provide essential community services. FEMA will now grant the Library $379,127 to maintain a public facility and meet the needs of the residents of Cedar Rapids.

Previous attempts to get reimbursement funding from FEMA for temporary relocation were denied based on the 1988 Robert Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act which does not list libraries among essential community services.

“This is a major victory not just for the Cedar Rapids Public Library, but for any library that may be in a similar situation in the future,” said Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk. He commends the hard work done by the staff, the city, the Board of Trustees, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Congressmen Dave Loebsack, leaders in the national library community, and the many volunteers over the past 18 months.

Assistant Library Director Tam Glise spent the months since the flood working with these groups to win the appeal for funds. “We meet needs otherwise unmet in our community, as do libraries across the country. It’s heartening to learn that FEMA recognizes that officially.”

The Library lost more than 160,000 items in the flood, including books and CDs, DVDs, reference materials, display racks, electronic equipment, microfilm, computers, and much more. FEMA determined that the building itself suffered more than 50% damage and has already committed to paying 90 percent of the costs for a new library on a site other than the First Street SE location.

The CRPL received assistance from the City of Cedar Rapids, the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Library, the Library Foundation, and private donors to fund the temporary location at Westdale Mall and a small downtown satellite branch.

The mission of the Cedar Rapids Public Library is to provide complete spectrum of information to the community through a variety of materials, appropriate technology and a well-trained staff.

CRPL Board of Trustees Holds Special Work Session

The Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a special working session on Thursday, December 31, 2009, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at CRPL-West in the Programming Room. This work session is an opportunity for the Board of Trustees to discuss the upcoming site selection for the new library. The public is invited to attend and there will be an opportunity for public comments beginning at 10:30 am. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to share your comments, please send your thoughts to mussmana@crlibrary.org or you may drop them off at the library before 12/31/09. For questions, please call (319) 398-5123.

CEDAR RAPIDS LIBRARY CHANGES DOWNTOWN HOURS OF OPERATION

Beginning Monday, November 9, 2009, the Downtown branch of the Cedar Rapids Public Library will adjust the hours of operation to be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Located at 221 3rd St. SE next to Hills Bank and Trust, this satellite facility offers a small collection of books for children through adults, CDs, and DVDs, as well as materials pick up and drop off services. Three internet computer stations are available for public use. There is a story time for children aged three to five every Friday at 10:30 am.

For more information, call the Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown branch at (319) 363-3286 or visit our website at www.crlibrary.org.

Library defers Levy Vote

At the September, 2009 meeting, the Library Board chose to defer the vote on the library levy.

After questions from the public, the Board felt that there were many unknowns about the location of a new library. Many people were hoping to know the outcome of the location decision before the levy vote. The Board agreed that it would be more appropriate to hold the levy election after the new location is chosen.

The Board also decided to work with the legislature to allow the levy vote in an off-city election.