November 14, 2007
Attendance: Steven Skidmore,
Wyma introduced Steven Skidmore, Director of the Siuslaw Public Library. He has experience in leading a building program, most recently, at his current library. He was invited to share the process his library has gone through to assess needs, plan renovations, and secure funding.
Skidmore shared publications that included his timeline for the library expansion project, statistics since the current building was opened, results of a public survey, town hall meeting notes, pledge forms, a measure notice, election results, and several press releases.
He said his story was specific to his library, and the model they used might not work for other libraries. He recommended being patient with the process, and to always be positive.
The planning began in 2003 when they realized they had space issues. They prepared a spreadsheet of statistics to show evidence of growth, both in the community and in library use since the library had been built. They invited the original architect, Richard Turi, to evaluate the needs for space. Turi conducted a town hall meeting and collected ideas from the public as to what uses additional space could be put to. These included an art gallery, genealogy section, local history, a children’s craft area, and a larger meeting room.
In 2005, they created a 16 person strategic planning committee made up of 2 board members, 2 staff, and 12 members of the community. The City Manager was the facilitator. They decided they wanted the library to be viewed as a ‘commons’ area. uri began to design the expansion in 2006, and came up with 5,910 additional square feet for a cost of $1.75 million. Then they had to figure out how to pay for it.
They invited a fundraiser who had helped raise funds for the original building in 1989, and directed the campaign to individuals, groups, and businesses. They hoped to raise 10% of the funds privately, and then go out for a bond measure. The private fundraising was successful beyond expectations. However, the measure voted on in the fall of 2006 failed by 132 votes. They determined that the ‘no’ votes came mostly from outlying areas, whose citizens might not have realized the value of the expanded library to them.
Since the bond measure failed, the project was divided into smaller, doable phases. Phase 1 will be to expand the workroom, and is expected to take six months to complete. The library is asking for Urban Renewal funds and using already raised funds to implement this phase. A team of experience grantwriters will apply for grants for the Phase 2 expansion.
Skidmore recommended having an architect in the community to help with the needs assessment. Senior staff have participated in planning throughout the process. The Board said that the staff knows what is needed, and should help provide direction. He also suggested that the building committee should be separate from the Library Board.
Skidmore shared a PowerPoint presentation that was used for fundraising among different groups.
The minutes of the previous Newport Library Board meeting were approved.
Wyma wrapped up the meeting discussing the Newport Library’s strategic plan, which she said she uses when reporting to the City Council. She also shared several planning books that will be useful when our library begins its expansion process.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.