Published: May 13, 2008 10:38 am      

Library director updates council on building project

LAGRANGE, Ind. — In response to changes in state legislation regarding the issuing of bonds, Mary Hooley, director of the LaGrange County Public Library, gave a presentation to the LaGrange County Council at its meeting Monday.

Hooley made the presentation in order to “bring the council up to speed on the library (building) project” because in lieu of House Bill 1001, “ultimately, we will need the council’s nod on any bond.”

Currently, the library board is working on a new Topeka library building project, which does not necessitate a bond issuance. However, at the end of October, when that project is scheduled to be completed, the board will begin focusing on remodeling the main library in LaGrange. To fund that project, board members expect to issue a bond.

Hooley used county-wide statistics to show the council that the libraries are gaining new members at an average rate of 253 new users per month.

Many county residents rely on libraries for Internet access, Hooley said, especially for online government services, including unemployment, local and state tax information, Medicaid and Medicare services, and information regarding immigration.

In most cases, to control their own costs, federal and state agencies are placing the front-line service burden onto the libraries, forcing them to provide training and support without any compensation, Hooley said.

The main library is not handicap-accessible, Hooley said, which would be remedied by renovations. Also, the library is outgrowing its space, and books and equipment are being stored in unsuitable conditions.

Hooley also highlighted the support Topeka residents have shown for their new library project. The town donated the land on which the new library will sit. The LaGrange County Community Foundation has also donated $10,000 for the project.

On May 31 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the new library’s future location, 113 N. Main St., Topeka, the library board will be sponsoring a groundbreaking celebration and fund-raiser for the new Topeka branch library. The event will include a haystack dinner, an auction, a bake sale, face painting and children’s games.

In other news, County Commissioner George Bachman told the council that the commissioners need to made appointments to the sewer board, the redevelopment commission, and the board of zoning appeals. He encouraged interested parties to apply.