LIBRARIES, LEGISLATORS WANT BOND ON BALLOT
Nutley SunMay 18, 2017
"The architecture isn't designed the way it is today. It's clear, when you go into some libraries, that they weren't built for browse-ability. They were built for style."
director of the
Libraries in
The director of the
These are among the library improvements that leaders in
Assemblyman
"It's been too long since we set aside resources for our libraries," Giblin said. "Libraries are a valuable asset. They have become community centers where there's more activity than just borrowing books."
Giblin, a
"We'd like to see it on the governor's desk by July," Giblin said. That would allow enough time for the referendum to be on the ballot in the November general election.
But just getting it on the ballot is half the battle, noted Giblin: "The public has to do a bit of lobbying, too."
"As you may know, our beloved historic Carnegie Bellevue Avenue Branch is not accessible for people with disabilities or mobility issues," Coyl wrote in a message to library patrons. "The restrooms and classroom space are in the lower level and the main level can only be reached by climbing a set of stairs.
"This makes it hard, and in many cases impossible, for some users to participate in children's story time, take a class, attend a program or even just check out a book."
"The last library referendum was around 1999," Banick said. "It was for
If approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov.
"This could be a golden ticket for so many libraries," observed Banick.
The dollar-to-dollar matching would double the purchasing power of libraries that have capital projects on hold, covering everything from construction to acquiring additional shelves, new carpeting or network infrastructure, he said.
"One of the goals of that plan is to update the library facility. Since capital improvements like facility updates could qualify for support, this bond would present a tremendous opportunity for the
Among the projects Banick would like to pursue are the completion of a LED lighting conversion that has already started and expanding the children's area.
Banick said the library has had preliminary talks with an architect. Plans to add an addition to the children's room are in the early stages, pending the outcome of the referendum or other means of funding.
"The library recently completed its renovation of the young adult area," said
Although Burstein said she could not speak for the library board, she supports such a measure: "I think it is terrific that our Legislature is looking to invest in our libraries."
The directors of the
"There isn't very much light in the building," Belli said. "The architecture isn't designed the way it is today. It's clear, when you go into some libraries, that they weren't built for browse-ability. They were built for style."
"We're lucky to have a generally recently renovated building," she said. "It was renovated about a decade ago, but it's a building that is well used. We have over 12,000 visitors a month ... It requires maintenance."
While not actively promoting the act, the Nutley Public Library Board would likely support it, President
The
The state formerly provided each library about
State officials "support less than 1 percent of our budget, but they set all the rules," said Iannarone, who has served on the
Many times, libraries are the first places politicians look to cut expenses, not realizing library patrons represent their largest contingency, he maintained.
"I see ourselves as an integral part of the community," serving all walks of life, said the president, who noted that much is packed in
"We do the calculations. For every dollar we spend, we add
Staff Writer
"The architecture isn't designed the way it is today. It's clear, when you go into some libraries, that they weren't built for browse-ability. They were built for style."
director of the