M E M O R A N D U M 07-07

TO: MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM: COUNCILMAN DOUG STARK

DATE: COUNCIL MEETING OF 8 JANUARY 2007

SUBJECT: JOINT-USE LIBRARY DUE DILIGENCE STUDY

More and more the community seems to be jumping into premature decision-making before the facts are determined and a rational decision process has been concluded. This is definitely the case with the proposal to delete the Joint-Use library addition from the 71-item CIP.

We've been asked by the College Director to direct the Librarian to participate with the College in a due-diligence study of the proposal for a joint-use library expansion. This is the first step in the process to expand the Library. The expansion could greatly benefit both the City and the University. The alternative to the project is to have two libraries, each three blocks from the other. The cost in public funds to have two libraries would be substantial and the inconvenience to students and the

public would be a shame.

Arguments against the project basically deal with empire building, assumptions that some people are against it, that possible funding sources don't favor it, and that the college library should be crammed into the existing new city library.

In any event, any construction is at least three years off, and the first step is to authorize the Librarian to participate in the due-diligence study, most of which would be done by the college. Any recommendation to proceed would come back to this Council and to the University.

RECOMMENDATION:

Direct the City Manager to have the Librarian participate with the College in the study and table the proposal to delete the Joint-Use library from the CIP.

Fiscal Note: Not provided. mlc