The Rossland Pubic Library hopes to complete Phase 2 of its renewal project this year.
The library board met for its annual general meeting last Wednesday and included in the annual report was an update on the renewal, which the board hopes to complete in time for the library’s 77th anniversary in October.
In 2015, the library completed Phase 1 of the project with the renovation of its bathrooms. A change that allowed the library to offer the first Easy Peezy family washroom in partnership with the Family Action Network.
Phase 2 of the renewal project is more substantial and will see a new layout for the library.
“It’s basically refurbishing most of the space inside to open it up and provide more room, and use the room that we have more efficiently,” says Adam Howse, newly elected chair of the library board. “A big part of it is going to be increasing the size of the children’s library.”
The new layout will move the staff office to the north side of the library, giving patrons more window access and allowing more space for the children’s library.
At this stage the library has final plans from the architects and a draft construction budget, but before Phase 2 can move forward there’s more fundraising to be done.
“We figure we’ve got about another $150,000 to spend and we’ve got, I believe it’s around, $90,000-$95,000 committed,” says Howse.
That leaves another $55,000-$60,000 to be raised, and Howse recognizes that right now Rosslanders are being asked to give a lot toward their community.
The board is hoping to fill most of the need through grants, but is also approaching local businesses, offering sponsorship for different areas of the library.
“If a business wanted to sponsor a certain part of the renovation, then we would use their name in the labeling of that once it’s completed,” explains Howse. “There’ll be signage and lots of exposure for them.”
Those interested in supporting Phase 2 of the library renewal project can inquire at the library or contact Howse directly at athowse@gmail.com.
There were also a lot of changes to the library board at the AGM.
Five new board members were elected: Christa Ford, Nikki Larsen, Carol Mak, Catherine Spence and Jeff Ross, who will act as treasurer. Three board members stepped down at the meeting: Chris D’Odorico, Lorrie Walmsley and Debbie Nelson. D’Odorico was chair of the board and had to step down because he had served the allowed eight-year term.Howse and Lauren Roach, who are both still in the middle of a two-year term, were named chair and vice-chair respectively. Yolanda Ridge was re-elected to the board, but didn’t want to resume the role of treasurer. The library board also lost a member this year, Erik Knudsgaard, and are still collecting donations for Ski for Light in his memory.