The James Prendergast Library in Jamestown
JAMESTOWN – The James Prendergast Library board of trustees has given preliminary approval for the renovation of the children’s library room along with the addition of upgraded restroom facilities. The board gave its approval Thursday afternoon after members of the Habiterra architecture firm – which was hired by the board in April – presented plans for both projects.
The entire plan for the children’s room presented by Habiterra, if unaltered, would cost an estimated $1.2 million while the bathroom renovation would cost $90,000. Prior to given initial approval on the projects, the board had a lengthy discussion about the price tag of the children’s room renovation and how the library would cover the cost. Executive Director Linda Mielke explained the library could qualify for as much as $710,000 in state funding for the project over two years, leaving the remaining $500,000 to be raised locally.
Mielke assured the board that the preliminary approval for the project will simply allow her to move forward and write a grant request for the state funding. In the meantime, the board could establish a committee to look into the feasibility of raising the local money that would be required. If the board determines the $500,000 couldn’t be raised locally or the full funding request to the state did not come it, the board will still have the option of pulling out of the project.
The plan presented by Habiterra would create a multi-floor children’s room, utilizing the space of the existing children’s room plus space along the second floor directly above and in an adjacent second floor room. Among the numerous renovations and additions, a second staircase would be added, a family restroom would be installed, and the mural that is located in the current children’s room would be moved to a renovated second floor room. The bathrooms, which would be fully handicapped accessible, would be built where the current microfiche room is located. The microfiche room would then be moved to another area of the library.
Mielke said that the first of two grant requests is due in August and the library will find out by next May if it qualified for the full funding amount. In the meantime, the board will move forward to research fundraising potential for the children’s room renovation project. The final vote for moving forward with the Children’s renovation project was 6 to 2 with one abstention. The bathroom facilities upgrade was approved unanimously with one abstention.
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