The U.S. Budget and Economic Outlook (Presentation)
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If You Build It, They Will Come. Strong Libraries = Strong Communities
1. IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME:
STRONG LIBRARIES = STRONG COMMUNITIES
A P R E S E N T A T I O N F O R M I L F O R D โ S
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2. WHY EDAC?
โLibraries often function as catalysts for economic
developmentโฆbecause their reputation as safe
community assets make them desirable neighbors. But
their programs also aid local economies by providing
valuable information to entrepreneurs, supporting
education and early literacy, and helping job-seekers to
improve their skills and find employment.โ
โULC Report: Libraries are Sustainability Partners.โ American Libraries. Jan/Feb 2011, Vol. 42 Issue ยฝ, p.20.
3. WHY EDAC?
๏ Library as community hub
๏ก Neutral space
๏ก One-stop information centers
๏ก Programs & services for all ages, 0-100
๏ก Forums to exchange ideas
๏ก Opportunities for learning, innovation
๏ก Introduction & access to new (and โoldโ) technologies
๏ท Bridging the โdigital divideโ
4. WHY EDAC?
๏ Libraries boost local economies
๏ก โAnchorโ for the downtown
๏ก Draw enormous foot traffic, all ages, all day long
๏ท 11,000 visits/month
๏ท Nearly a quarter million checkouts
๏ก Economic engine: creates opportunities
๏ท Studies
๏ก Complements vs competes
5. WHY EDAC?
๏ Libraries boost local economies
๏ก Helps create a more attractive market for businesses, residences
๏ท Long term tenancy = stability, safety, quality of life
๏ก Small business support
๏ท Access to print & cost-prohibitive online resources, technology
๏ท Education station for job seekers
6. Why we need a new library
64 years old
3 levels
28 years old
2 levels
28 years old
1 level
Current facility: 14,000 sq.ft.
7. Why we need a new library
๏ Extremely limited ability to meet the needs as
expressed by community members
๏ Insufficient space for Teen & Childrenโs programs
and collections
๏ No way to contain noise
๏ No flexible space for new initiatives, growth
๏ Inefficient work flow
๏ Not enough parking, esp. handicapped
๏ Building not compliant with ADA
8. Why we need a new library
๏ Space. How cramped IS it?
๏ก Average square footage of NH public libraries:
1.40 sq.ft/capita
๏ก Milfordโs library = .89 sq.ft/capita
57% SMALLER than the state average
9. Why we need a new library
๏ Design capacity: tipping point
๏ The most heavily used town building outside schools
๏ก Last year: averaged 11,000+ visits per month
๏ก Nearly a quarter million checkouts
๏ก 14,000 program attendees
Investing in the library =
Huge community impact
10. Why we need a new library
๏ Project supported by:
๏ก Two community surveys
๏ก Professional, in-depth space needs analysis
๏ก Focus groups โ staff and community
๏ก Strategic planning process
11. Why we need a new library
๏ Projected & planned for in:
๏ก Current and past Town Master Plans
๏ก Past Library Long Range Plans
๏ก Current Library Strategic Plan
๏ก Town Capital Improvement Plans
๏ทEVERY YEAR SINCE 1995
Every year that passes,
the cost increases.
12. SOLUTION
๏ Options carefully evaluated in terms of:
๏ก What is the price tag?
๏ก What are the operational & maintenance costs going
forward?
๏ก Are identified program & community needs met?
๏ก Are space & workflow efficiencies addressed?
13. SOLUTION
๏ Unanimous board vote.
๏ Demolish entire current structure, rebuild a 2 story
structure on existing footprint & add a 2 story
structure of 8100 sq.ft.
14. SOLUTION
๏ Decision made *not* to renovate. Why?
๏ก Added 9 months to construction time
๏ก Still left with operational/maintenance inefficiencies
๏ก Still left with overall layout problems which donโt meet
needs
๏ทChopped up floor plan does not work for 21st century libraries
15. SOLUTION
๏ Why is this the best choice?
๏ก Rebuilding allows for LESS total square footage
๏ก Design stresses open, flexible spaces โ allows for future
change
๏ก Better, more efficient spatial layout
๏ก Easier, more efficient to staff/secure/maintain
๏ก Cheaper to heat/cool/vent
20. HIGHLIGHTS
๏ Larger Childrenโs Dept w/ dedicated program space
๏ Larger, contained Teen Dept
๏ Large, flexible meeting room space to accommodate
bigger programs and groups
๏ Flexible floor plans to allow for future use/growth
21. HIGHLIGHTS
๏ After-hours meeting room use
๏ Several small group/quiet study rooms
๏ Technology/business center
๏ Vastly improved efficiencies
22.
23.
24. HIGHLIGHTS
๏ Reminder:
๏ก Average square footage of NH public libraries:
1.40 sq.ft/capita
๏ก Milfordโs library = .89 sq.ft/capita (57% smaller)
๏ Proposed project: 1.34 sq.ft per capita
๏ก Weโre not over-building
๏ก Weโre building to meet the needs of todayโs population
25. ๏ Parking
HIGHLIGHTS
๏ก Current parking lot = 38 spaces
๏ก Future parking lot = approximately 60 spaces
27. COST
๏ Cost to taxpayers: $4.9 million
๏ Total project cost of $5.4 million
๏ Cost offset by $500,000 Trustee contribution
28. ๏ Tax impact = .33/$1000
๏ Impact for a home valued at $200k = $66/year
๏ Average Milford home valued = $235,800 (2013)
๏ก Tax impact = $78/year
COST
29. BENEFITS
๏ โLibraries โattract tremendous foot traffic, provide
long-term tenancy and complement neighboring
retail and cultural destinations.โ
๏ โLibraries generate increased business for local
merchantsโ while not competing with them.
โLibraries at the heart of our communities.โ Planning Commissioners Journal Summer 2009: 12-19.
30. BENEFITS
๏ In the most heavily used town facility outside of
the schools, the investment has a huge impact on
residents, local economy.
๏ Access to resources and new technologies for all.
๏ Educational, informational and recreational
programs and servicesโฆfor all ages.