Wareham Library Trustees Recommend Adding Branch Library
On February 16th the Friends of the Wareham Free Library (The Friends) met with the Board of Trustees of the Wareham Free Library in order to discuss their warrant article which will be discussed at the April 2012 Town Meeting. The article is asking Town Meeting voters to accept the Friends’ gift of the private Spinney Memorial Library, located in Onset. If voters choose to accept it, then the town will own the Spinney Memorial Library. As a result, it will become a public building and a branch of the main library.
In addition to gifting the building and contents to the Town, the Friends’ proposal includes payment for the complete startup and operating costs of the branch for a two full years. In total, this gift represents a value of about between $500,000 and $720,000 depending on whether one is considering the appraised value or the assessed value respectively.
The Trustees did express concerns about accepting a branch library considering that maintaining the existing main library has proven to be a challenge. When asked for her advice Library Director, Denise Medeiros, was optimistic. As she put it, “[The branch library] certainly isn’t going to hurt this library. I think it would just enhance it.” She added, “It definitely follows our strategic plan. It follows all four service responses for our strategic plan”. Ms. Medeiros also noted that the added hours at the Spinney will go a long way toward ensuring we meet full certification requirements with the state.
After a full discussion with the Friends and the attending public, The Trustees voted to recommend moving forward with the Spinney proposal.
Ultimately, however, the decision rests with Town Meeting voters. The Friends of the Wareham Free Library have provided extensive documentation detailing their proposal. All of it is available on the Wareham Free Library website.
http://www.warehamfreelibrary.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=73
In order for residents to make the most informed decision possible, the Trustees welcome Town Meeting voters to review all of these documents. In addition the complete audio of Friends/Trustees discussion of the branch library can be found at the above link as well. It is about an hour long and it will probably answer many of your questions.
The Spinney Warrant Article will also be placed on the agenda for the Library Trustee’s upcoming March 15th meeting held at 5:30pm at the Wareham Free Library across from town hall. Not only do the Trustees “allow” public questions/comment during discussion of agenda items, we encourage it. If there are members of the public who wish to discuss this or anything else on the agenda, please feel free to attend.
