Libraryconcept1On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2,  James River Valley Library System Development Director, Bill Kennedy, and Library Director Joe Rector, were guests.  Kennedy gave an update on the library system, and additional comment were made by Rector, explaining ideas for a new Liabrary construction project,  summarized by the provided fact sheet below.

JAMES RIVER VALLEY LIBRARY SYSTEM, JULY 17, 2013.

 FACT 1. HISTORY

  • In 2008, City & County voted, overwhelmingly, 68% yes, to combine Alfred Dickey and Stutsman County Libraries.
  • In 2013, the libraries have one board, one director, one plan, one system, and one bookmobile, but are still under two roofs.

FACT 2. PLAN

  • Combine the two libraries in a modern, flexible, efficient, facility, on the 3rd St & 4th Ave SE corner. (old Essentia site)
  • Break ground in Feb. 2015
  • Open in Apr. 2016

FACT 3. COST

 Project estimated at $9,000,000

 FACT 4. FUNDING

  • Estimated Loan from USDA of $7,000,000 for 20-30 years at 3.5%
  • Loan repaid by new ¼% sales and use tax in Jamestown and Stutsman County.
  • Donation of ½ section of farm land, conservatively valued at $900,000, has been pledged.
  • Public fund drive has just started with a goal of raising $1,100,000

FACT 5. LIBRARY $ VALUE TO COMMUNITY

  • Library Use Value Calculator For Patrons

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/toolkit/makingthecase/library_calculator

This calculator illustrates the savings generated with each use of a library service from borrowing a book to read, to making use of a free space.

  • Library Financial Multiplier For Community
      1. Construction project will have a $1.38 multiplier. For every $ invested in the construction project, $1.38 will be returned to the community.
      2. Library day to day operations will have a $1.40 multiplier.

FACT 6. LIBRARY EFFECT ON EDUCATION,

RECREATION and INFORMATION

  • Education Effect
  1. JRVL will be part of the “Literacy Task Force” in conjunction with the Jamestown School District.
  2. In 2012, the library had 179 kids programs with 3,691 kids in attendance.
  3. The new library will add spaces and programs for early literacy, children, YA, and adult learning.
  • Recreation Effect
  1. Libraries provide newspapers, magazine, cd’s, videos, video games.
  2. New spaces will be added to focus on changes in the electronic entertainment world.
  • Information Effect

People aged 0-100 come to the library for to read and improve reading skills, and seek information on jobs, schools, finances, genealogy, how to use the internet, using the internet. The changing e-world demands that the library recognize and react to changes in electronic media to maintain the appropriate learning spaces for the benefit of the entire community.

FACT 7. NEW LIBRARY EFFECT ON USAGE

A. Library use will increase by 50% within the first fiscal year.

B. Adult programs will increase to 50.

C. YA programs will increase to 50.

FACT 8. LIBRARY & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Libraries are part of the ERI infrastructure in local government’s contract with the tax-payers. We pay property tax and they provide education, recreation and information through schools, parks and the library.

Current property tax allocation for ERI

Schools 37%

Parks 11%

Library 3.5%

The libraries 3.5 % provides for operations. No new property tax is being sought.

FACT 9. JRVLS 2011 Stats

2011 Cardholders: 8,500 # 9 of 82 ND Libraries 2011

2011 Total Visits: 92,500 # 8 of 82 ND Libraries 2011

2011 Total Circulation: 140,000 # 6 of 82 ND Libraries 2011

(Kids, 78,000 circ. is # 5,

ahead of West Fargo)

More information on line at www.jamesriverlibrary.org