Jamestown (CSi) The James River Valley Library System Board of Directors has approved a conceptual design for the potential expansion and renovation of the Alfred Dickey Library.

LibraryDwtn445ConceptLibrary Director Joe Rector says the design is not final, and public input will still be taken, adding that the design will be printed on posters for the Community Block Party on August 28, 2014.

Petitions continue to be circulated by volunteers to have a quarter-percent sales tax added to the November ballot to fund the project.  So far,  1,535 signatures have been gathered, with the goal of 2,000.  A minimum of 1,452 valid signatures must be turned in to the Stutsman County Auditor’s office 60 days before the November 4, 2014 general election.

The quarter percent sales tax would cost the average household in the county approximately $33.75 a year and raise a total of around $700,000 per year for 10 years

The plan for the new combined Alfred Dickey and Stutsman County Libraries includes renovating existing space in the downtown library, demolish the Maranatha building and the Maple Mall to the north to make room for an addition.