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Bond Election

November 2005
The bond election for a new library facility failed on February 22, 2005.
Prior to the election, many dedicated volunteers spent countless hours informing the community of the library’s space issues, and for that the Otsego District Library is extremely grateful. The voters within the Otsego District Library service area have indicated at this point in time that a new library is not a priority.
The staff and board of the library will continue to provide outstanding library services and resources for its community, and they will also continue to creatively address the space needs that the library currently faces. The library has recently added new shelving units for a long overdue young adult collection, and more audio-visual shelving has allowed for purchasing more DVDs, videos and audiobooks. Beginning in Winter 2006, a music CD collection will be added to the library’s collection. Also by Winter 2006, several non-fiction shelving units will be extended by three feet allowing for elimination of tight shelf-space and for expansion within that collection. It is our priority to provide the materials and resources that patrons expect to find within their library.
These immediate remedies will help ease the overcrowded shelving conditions, however with each additional shelving unit, the available floor space necessary for seating, study and walking space will diminish. Areas for children’s and adult programming have also become increasingly squeezed. The main library area has been filled with shelving and furnishings that can no longer be moved for future programming within that space, creating a problem for large events such as the summer reading program or popular adult programs.
At this point the library board has not set a timeframe for presenting a new proposal to district-wide voters, however the library’s capital campaign, “Beginning a New Chapter,” will continue with efforts to raise funds through private donations, foundation grants, and other creative fundraising methods. To date, the campaign has received pledges and gifts of over $240,000. This is still a long ways from the approximately $4,000,000 needed for a new library, however it is awe-inspiring to see so many individuals and families become part of the planning for a new facility. Library board, staff, and volunteers will continue to educate friends and families throughout the community by word of mouth, programs and talks of the library’s tremendous value to the community. The goal is to create better awareness of the library’s needs and to ultimately provide a larger library space that will fulfill the needs and expectations of our residents.
Ryan Wieber, Director