MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Editorials

Discussion

November 4, 2009

Time to discuss library needs now

Muskogee needs a new or expanded and refurbished library. There’s no question about it.

But there are lots of questions about funding.

Libraries are not cheap. Fayetteville, Ark., completed a new 88,000-square-foot library in 2004 at a cost of $23.3 million.

At a public meeting last week, a professional library planner from Minnesota, Jeffrey A. Scherer, did not mention price, but Muskogee’s library is less than half the size of Fayetteville’s and Muskogee needs to expand several thousand square feet to accommodate more electronic additions for the future.

Muskogee’s library also has several infrastructure problems, ranging from a continually leaking roof to inadequate electrical needs.

One building idea that Scherer promoted was the library’s partnering with another community organization, possibly the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame or Muskogee Little Theatre, so that one or the other would have a home with the library, which would aid in promoting and complementing the work of cooperating organization.

Mutual cooperation, of course, would mean sharing of costs, but again where to get the money? Muskogee would have to look at a sales tax, as Fayetteville did, and initiate a campaign to solicit building funds.

But as Scherer pointed out, Muskogee, too, should look to available government and foundation money that supports these endeavors — and now is the time to start the discussion. Even beginning construction would be two or three years from now.

So as soon as possible is the time to begin discussion and planning rather than waiting another two or three years allowing the library building to deteriorate even more.

The library plans on holding public meetings on expanding its present facility or building a new one after the first of the year. Muskogee residents depend on their library for a variety of services, and we hope that you will take part in planning and supporting its work in the future.

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