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Cook Memorial Public Library Catalog
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More Library Space...Without a Tax Increase! In the last fifteen years, professional library consultants have estimated the Cook Memorial Public Library District (CMPLD) needs 98,000 to 121,000 square feet to operate at maximum efficiently, at a cost at least $30 million. Studies cite that the “facility overcrowding and space deficits negatively impact service delivery, operations, staffing arrangements, and organizational management at both the Cook Memorial and Evergreen facilities.” Without adequate space, the library is forced to offer reduced services. The expansion strategy cites the absence of meeting and group study space, limited reading rooms, offsite programming necessitating room rental fees, and inadequate access to computers and internet. Space constraints also affect the library’s collection; every time a new item is added, an old item must be removed. The expansion strategy calls for two projects: the construction of a 20,000 square foot library on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills, and adding approximately 10,000 square feet and renovating the Cook Park Library. Each project would cost approximately $7 million, with a total budget of $14 million. “One goal of this strategy is to provide the maximum amount of square footage for library services with available funding,” said Armstrong. “That’s why we first determined the available funding and then determined the most effective strategy for the facility expansion utilizing that funding. The proposal will require a disciplined approach to fiscal management and an emphasis on flexibility and efficiency by the staff.” To finance the expansion, Armstrong recommends that approximately $910,000 be segregated from the annual operating budget. For the last few years, the District has been operating at $500,000 surplus, so a contingency fund of approximately $3 million is available. The public will not see any changes in service, though a number of changes have been made to next year’s budget. Most of the changes focus on purchasing policies and human resources management. "I am proud of this strategy. It benefits all areas of our district. This is a new and exciting era for the Cook District," said Lawlor. The expansion strategy closely follows the CMPLD’s Board of Trustees desire to “develop a phased plan to concurrently relocate and expand the Evergreen Interim Library and reorganize and/or expand public space at the Cook Park Library”, which was adopted on April 4, 2006. The Cook Memorial Public Library District serves 60,000 residents in Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Mettawa, Indian Creek, Green Oaks, and unincorporated Libertyville Township. The District operates the Cook Park Library in Libertyville and the Evergreen Interim Library in Vernon Hills. |
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