Frequently Asked Questions

Main Library Renovation – 2010

 

 

With the state budget cuts, how can the library afford a renovation project?

The library board of trustees has been working toward renovating the main library for quite some time. The library received a very generous donation of $10-million from the estate of Mary Joanne Clifton in 2006. In 2007, the library received another generous donation of nearly $1 million from the estate of Mary Virginia Crites-Hannan with a three-year timeline to use the funds. These monies were donated to the library for capital (or building) projects and will be used for the renovation.

 

The library’s day-to-day operating funds come from the State of Ohio and have been declining since 2001. Until 2006, the library board of trustees was able to save a portion of these funds each year. In the second half of 2009, the board implemented cost-saving measures and continues to maintain a tight hold on the budget, as our community wants us to do.

 

The goal for our community is to have useful library services that will allow Pickaway County residents to learn throughout their lives, enjoy their recreation time and become involved in the community.

 

 

What will the new space offer?

Plans are to use the nearly 8,500 square feet to add a teen center, a computer lab, additional meeting rooms and an enlarged children’s area. These were all top suggestions by the community during numerous focus groups and a survey conducted by the library in 2007.

 

 

Why a $4-million project?

The library board wants the current space to blend into the new expansion, not create an “old” space and a “new” space. The plans call for open sight-lines to allow staff members to see more of the building. The plans also call for environmentally friendly construction methods which will allow for more natural lighting. The goal is to have an inviting, comfortable and energy-efficient library that will be an asset for Pickaway County for many, many years to come.

 

Unfortunately, everything costs more than it used to. (You’ve probably noticed your grocery bill and fuel bills.) The library board of trustees and library staff are part of the Pickaway County community and, just like you, are cautious with money.

 

For the project, the Library will use the approximately $1 million donated by the estate of Mary Virginia Crites-Hannan and approximately $3 million from the funds donated by the estate of Mary Joanne Clifton.  The library will continue to earn interest on the balance of the funds donated by Mrs. Clifton.  

 

 

How is the library going to pay for the upkeep on the larger facility?

Very carefully! Library funding from the state level has been declining due to the economy. The library has implemented cost-saving measures for the existing facility. The design of the renovated space incorporates natural light and other energy-efficient measures that will help keep utility costs as low as possible. The design will also include open sight lines that will allow existing staff to monitor much of the new area, eliminating the need for much additional staffing.

 

Hopefully, the state economy will turn around before long. The library board will maintain a tight hold on the budget, but may need to seek private donations, grants, or other sources of funding.

 

 

Will you have to close the library during construction?

There may be days where the library or portions of it will need to be closed to keep everyone safe. It is the library’s goal to be open as much as possible during the construction project.

 

 

Are you going to add a genealogy library?

Pickaway County already has a wonderful Historical and Genealogical Library at 210 N. Court Street. (We send people there often!)

 

The public library does have a small collection of local genealogical items and longer operating hours than the genealogical library. As part of the renovation, the public library’s genealogical materials will be relocated to an enclosed space near the mural of the Logan Elm Tree.

 

 

When will construction start?

June 2010 is the goal for construction to begin.

 

 

When will construction finish?

March 2011 is the goal for construction to be completed.

 

 

When will I be able to see what the plans for renovation look like?

The architect’s drawings will be available for public viewing on June 1 at the Main Library in Circleville.

 

How is Berger Health involved?

Berger Health agreed to an early release of an area it had leased from the library until 2018. Berger’s board agreed that the library needed the space to better serve the community. The library will be doing the renovating and maintenance of the building.

 

 

What about the dentist office/hospice/Berger’s education center?

The three current tenants at 1170 N. Court – Berger Hospice, Family Dental Care and Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center – may remain until the end of the lease which expires in 2018.

 

 

What are the plans for the future?

In 2018, the lease agreement with Berger Health will expire and the library hopes to renovate the remaining 8,500 square feet at that time.

 

 

History/Background of the Pickaway County District Public Library at 1160 N. Court Street, Circleville:

 

The library board of trustees purchased the former Ames building in 1994.

 

After several library levy attempts for capital funds failed, the library board of trustees leased part of the space on North Court Street, approximately 17,000 square feet, to Berger Health. Berger replaced the roof over the entire 46,000 square foot facility.

 

From 1994 to 2006, the library board saved extra operating dollars and in 2001 began a formal fund-raising campaign called the “Main Move.”

 

On January 6, 2003, the main library was able to move into the facility on Court Street thanks to the thriftiness of the library board and the generosity of community members.

 

The current facility is nearly 29,000 square feet and includes a public meeting room, 24 computers with Internet access, a young adult area, an enlarged reference area and a special area for children’s storytimes. Circulation in 2009 totaled nearly 470,000 volumes for the library system.

 

Prior to 2003, the library was housed by 8,100 square feet in Memorial Hall, which was the library’s home since 1893.

 

Without a local operating levy, the library receives 90 percent of its operating funds from the State of Ohio. In September 2009, the library reduced its operating hours by nine hours per week. (Eight and a half hours per week at the branch.) Staff hours were reduced more than 200 hours per week.

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