Jasper Library begins expansion exploration process again

Jasper — The Jasper Public Library Board interviewed five potential candidates from the public to join a committee tasked with creating three options for the future of the library for a potential 2015 referendum.

Four more are expected to be interviewed Monday evening. The board will then decide the five public members of the committee. The five Bainbridge Township residents will join two of the Jasper Library Board members — Mark Kunkel and Pamela Catt — and two staff members — Library Director Rita Douthitt and Branch Manager Christine Golden.

The first five interviewees were Brad War, CEO of the Dubois County Community Foundation; Karen Grewe, a city employee at the Jasper Community Arts Center; Joe Huddleston, a Kimball Office employee and market master for the Jasper Farmers Market; Bob Dilger, a retiree from Crane Naval Support Activity; and John Bell, the COO at TrueScripts Management Services, he also serves as the president of the Jasper Redevelopment Commission.

Once the appointees are named, they will begin meeting two to three times a month and report to the Jasper Library Board as they investigate potential construction or expansion options for the Jasper Library. The committee is expected to finalize the options within three to six months to meet the deadline for a 2015 referendum.

The final four candidates will be interviewed Monday at 8 p.m. at the 1103 Main Street annex.