Jasper Library board talks lighting, pay raises, and cost estimates from Universal Design
The Contractual and Jasper Library Boards met Thursday afternoon at the Dubois Library for their regular monthly meetings.
In the Contractual meeting, Library Director Rita Douthitt reported to the board that there are two issues with lighting in the Dubois Library that need to be addressed with Universal Design. The first is regarding the recessed lighting at the front counter area just inside the doors of the library. The lighting appears dimmer there than at other areas.
The second area of dim lighting occurs along either end of the tallest shelving space in the library towards the back wall. This happens because the florescent lights do not extend out far enough to fill the last aisles with light. It’s only a problem during hours when there is not enough daylight entering the building to help make up the lower light amounts.
The board looked at these two areas and determined that the first area of concern was created by the adding the mural on the fascia next to the ceiling which is darker in color and soaks up light from the recessed lights. The board took responsibility for the design and decided that they could not approach Universal with fixing the issue since they caused it by their own choice.
The second area, however, was determined to be an issue that Universal Design should look at to see if a fix could be applied to solve the problem – even though in an initial response from them they stated that the lighting falls within specs. The board authorized Rita Douthitt to handle it with Universal.
In other business, the board also passed the Salary Resolution which calls for a 2% increase for employees.
In the Jasper board meeting, Douthitt reported on the statistics for October and they show a drop in circulation over last year’s numbers, but an increase in usage and door count. Douthitt reports that a drop is not uncommon at this time of the year because when school starts back up, circulation drops due to families getting their kids back in school. She also says that circulation will be lower around the Holidays as well.
In other news, Universal Design sent the results of three borings on the existing library site on Main Street to see what the site would yield as far as a foundation is concerned. The borings showed that they encountered soft and medium stiff silty clay and silt at a depth of 6 to 8 feet below grade with bedrock at the same 6 to 8 feet depth.
The report also says that a basement or undercutting of foundation areas to bedrock would be required if a new library would be built on the site. Foundations would be extended to bedrock at a depth of 7 to 8 feet below grade and with the existing floor line at 3 feet above grade; the foundations would be extended below floor line 10 to 11 feet.
In a separate letter sent to area media and distributed to library board members, Universal Design professional engineer Ralph Pund sought to put to rest questions concerning the reliability of construction cost estimates for a new library on the South Newton Street site.
The letter states that the “estimates were developed after extensive study and research into the construction costs of recently completed library buildings in Dubois County. The two libraries recently built…were both designed by Universal Design and both came in under budget.”[box type=”info” border=”full”]
Ferdinand Library Engineers Estimate: $2,756,250.00 Actual Bid: $2,278,616.00 Below Estimate: $477,634.00 Dubois Library Engineer’s Estimate: $975,000.00 Actual Bid: $944,087.00 Below Estimate: $31,013.00[/box]The letter goes on to say that the estimated costs of building a library at both the existing Main Street location and the South Newton Street site were not biased towards either location.
The costs estimates for the Main Street location included demolition of the existing structure and relocation of library books and fixtures to a temporary location including rental costs during construction. The total costs exceeded those of the costs for the South Newton Street site.
Pund says Universal Design has 40 years of experience and expertise and it was relied upon in preparing cost estimates for both sites.
Most important part of the article:
"The costs estimates for the Main Street location included demolition of the existing structure and relocation of library books and fixtures to a temporary location including rental costs during construction. The total costs exceeded those of the costs for the South Newton Street site."
#1…I believe somewhere it was reported that the proposed site would be less than 1/2 mi further from the courthouse (center of downtown) than the current site. Where is land available for a library closer than that? In my opinion, building a library on South Newton would be favorable addition to the natural beauty of the Riverwalk/ Mill/ Historic area. If we do not act now, this debate will go on and on and on…
#2…I agree…making the reports public would be beneficial to the YES side.
#3…You could look at it POSITIVELY in that for a small amount per year ($13.75 for a $100,000 house), you could have free access to THOUSANDS of books and other media.
#1, the idea has been floated to have the library move into the current city hall, and move the city offices to the library. Old National Bank has appeared on the radar again. Everything in real estate is about location and price. Right now, the public does not like the proposed location and that a barrier.
2. Ft. Wayne has had 4 libraries offer digital check out in current buildings. Where is the research and phone calls there? Imagine them saying, hey you can reduce book storage space by X. The we save us some money. Many people would have been fine with double the size, with the ability to scale it up later.
#3 So people are living so close to the edge that this will truly hurt them. Remember, we have another Recession coming.
1. unfortunately none of those plans moved forward and while some of those may have been just as viable as this plan the fact that they are not build ready may very well make it cost more money later.
2. digital check out (assuming your referring to ebooks) only works for those that have a way to read ebooks. regardless, a library is more than a building with books. (also, i hear ebooks are coming to the current library soon)
3. this seems to be in contrast to #2. you suggest in #2 that JPL should investigate ebooks to reduce the size of a livbrary. Now you discuss how much this tax increase is going to hurt them. how are these hurting folks going to be able to buy ebook readers if they can't afford a tiny tax increase?
First, I am telling you what people tell me. If you have answers, the public isn't getting them.
1. People tell me they don't want it there. Wrong side of river, not near the center of population, etc. The job of selling the proposed location isn't working.
2. I agree. To combine 2 and 3, Ft. Wayne has a system to check eReaders with ebooks. People tell me that we don't need a large library anymore because of that. I would like to see a study presented stating even with ebooks, they need to triple the space. The point is, the people aren't sold on the size of the proposal.
3. People are hurting $$$ wise and have told me as much.
Again, I spreading the word I have heard from walking every door in district 4. The key point is that only a small minority statement state nothing should be done. The issue is the location, size and layout with the future of ebooks, and some of finincially can't give anothe $50-x a year.
If you believe there should be a new library there, a better selling job must be done.
Having visited many people in the 4th district as I went door to door, the single biggest issue is the new site selected, the second biggest issue is the size of the building. Jasper citizens in the 4th who are opposed don’t want the library there, they want a new library somewhere else. Second, they tell me that they don’t think the library needs to be that big for a future digital world with digital check out options. The third issue is we are coming out of the great recession with a real future Depression coming when the debt/credit crisis is dealt with by banks collapsing or government slashing spending by 30-50%… whichever comes first.
#1, if you want to convince people on the site, tell them why it is better than a site in downturn where people really want it.
#2, show the research that was done proving in a digital world the library must be that size.
#3, explain why people who are struggling to get by already must fork over more tax money on top or the current rate hike by the city, when they could lose there job when the next downturn hits.
That is what is missing from the Vote YES side.
All these things have been done repeatedly.
Recent ad in DCHerald.
Website: http://www.newjasperlibrary.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jasper-Public-Libra…
#1. It is only 2/10 of a mile further than the current library is from downtown. It is in an area ripe for further development. The proposed site will be able to have dedicated parking.
#2. From 2005 to 2010, our library has had books and media circulation increase 47%, computer usage has increased 50%, and program attendance has increased 62%. Nationwide library visitation has increased 70%. A library is more than a building of books.
#3. roughly 5 cents for every $100 of assessed property value in tax (after exemptions). If we do this now we get the biggest bang for the buck. Do it later and it will cost more with increasing material costs and a higher interest rate
"First, I am telling you what people tell me. If you have answers, the public isn’t getting them."
This is why I am replying to your comments. I am not affiliated with library; however, I do visit it a lot. The facts I am presenting have been confirmed as accurate.
Hopefully, responding to you will provide others with the information that is not making it out there. Your commenting here is very helpful in finding out what the public doesn't know and, for that, I am grateful.
#1. I have heard the same. Where the library should be located is obviously a matter of opinion and is hard one to change.
I recall studies having concluded that population-wise the proposed location is the center of town (I could be wrong) but I can understand why folks don't want it to move and many will debate "what is the center of town". Some folks prefer the library be north by Wal-mart.
However, a bigger issue I hear is cost, cost, and cost.
Waiting and reevaluating may result in a smaller library, sure, but the interest rate will go up and material costs increase. In the end a smaller library may likely end up costing the same amount. Unless waiting can drastically decrease the costs, the reduction in the tax increase is meaningless. Maybe $10 vs $13 annually for a $100K home (after exemptions). **I left out a word in an earlier comment. The 5 cents is before exemptions. I meant to say "Less After Exemptions."
#2. "People tell me that we don’t need a large library anymore because of [ebooks].I would like to see a study presented stating even with ebooks, they need to triple the space."
It has been done. The JPL PAC has posted results of studies that have concluded that library facilities that get our amount of traffic need the larger facilities.
Books circulation is not the only thing driving the need for a bigger library.
As mentioned earlier, library visitation has increased dramatically over the last 6 years with book circulation NOT being the biggest reason. Nationwide library usage is up 70% and when the economy is down libraries are used more as people attempt to be frugal. If we are beginning to enter another recession, as you mentioned, a bigger library would be needed.
Personally, I would like to see the study saying ebook adoption will result in a smaller library. I don't think there is one.
On the plus side, the proposed building includes movable walls that will allow it to accommodate to the needs of a library in the future be it less books and more pcs or more meeting rooms.
#3. I agree, many people are hurting for money. I just learned I have to replace my galvanized plumbing, I need more money.
Regardless, the library can help make some money problems easier. It may sound a bit hokey and it is not a magical wand but people do use the library to offset their frugality be it for children's activites, movie nights, dvd and game loans vs rentals/purchases, or to use the interent to job hunt.
#4. "If you believe there should be a new library there, a better selling job must be done."
I agree. Considering the number of discussions I have had recently and requests for studies that have already been done and made previously available, it is obvious that getting the word out was not as successful as it could have been.
Also unfortunate, are those who simply don't agree with the need or location for the proposed library and don't go looking for the information that could change their mind. Not too long ago, most of what you have written, I said. I couldn't find squat to confirm or deny my view and that actually upset me.
So, I went to Rita and asked for information. Sure, she gave me her point of view and then I questioned every point and she provided me with the information. Eventually, I found the info I needed and as a result my mind changed. Albeit, the earlier links are VOTE-YES but none of the NO info I have seen refers to studies, etc.
Even this article quotes the engineers in saying building at the current location will cost more and I have read the studies concluding a second floor on the current building isn't feasible, but the NO groups still claims otherwise.
Regardless, be sure to vote.
Lets not forget the new Library is going to overlook a floodplain that harbors disease infested insects where the current site is far from standing water. The current Library is 5.5 blocks away from the courthouse and the proposed location is about 7.5 blocks. The current Library is at the edge of downtown the proposed location is 3 block away from downtown. Closeness to downtown is really irrelevant though. It's the geographical center of town that's relevant. Lets face it, the city really can't expand south to easily. It's points to the North, East, and West that's going to see growth. More so to the North and the West. If anything there should be two smaller libraries considered. One at it's current location and one closer to say the Ireland area. That plan is more logical and falls in place better with future growth of the town.
I don't think that many people think our spring flood waters are harborers of diseases. If this would be true, fewe people would venture to the Riverwalk during the loveliest time of the year. No one commented that during high water last year, people from the southern and eastern part of the county had easy access to the hospital cut off which is more important than an overdue book.
The vote NO campaign stating that they beileve that the present building can be expanded is like saying that since the Sherman-Minton bridge looks the same as it always has, we should be able to drive over it even though the experts say otherwise.
Please take into account everything that the vote No group is saying while keeping in mind that the chairman of that group and board president was been chastised twice last week for making in accurate comments about respected businesses in our area and in the Midwest.
The feasible study these firms are gearing it towards them getting the job ! Period.
I was against getting the Dubois Library, but I was open to hearing what they said, I simply thought having 3 libraries within a 1/2 mile was so ridiculous. We was going to get it cause the Contr Library committee was affiliated with Universal Design.
The very first meeting we had at Dubois for the library, I talked to the Universal Design rep and they said they would talk to me about using some GREEN products in the design, I was excited. Then I proceeded to contact them, and no responding was made.. Then I was told the library was going to be built "stick framed" and they decided that already. Never mind they lied, the board lied, but I never presented my idea before they decided. After the fact they called–too late— many people lost interest. My idea of a GREEN product that would save 50-80% on utilities-gone-perfect storm shelter —gone.. I heard oh yeh, well it`s a free library- but we are going to pay for the utility`s !
We talk GREEN, we recycle, we talk trees, we talk reuse buildings, we just don`t do it !