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December 1, 2008

Millville Library board wants public input for future plans

By JOEL LANDAU • Staff Writer • November 28, 2008

Asbury Park Press, Nov. 28, 2008

MILLVILLE -- The Millville Public Library Board of Trustees is preparing for some changes at the facility.

The board hired the Philadelphia-based firm Library Development Solutions to conduct a feasibility study for the library and solicit input from the public on what the residents want at the location. The firm will help the library with plans for fundraising, space planning, strategic planning and plans for a new facility.

The firm will hold town meetings and focus groups. The board wants the plans in place by the end of June, according to Director Irene Percelli.

"We want the community to come out and tell us what they'd like to see happen," she said. "And where they want us to prioritize."

The library already made one change. It reorganized its computer lab and set up eight computers on a long table in the main room, and cleared the computers out of the children's room.

The board allocated $28,000 to upgrade the network to handle the additional computers, Percelli said. The library could receive that money back from federal programs, she added.

The library hopes to add eight more computers through donations from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Percelli said.

"We were not providing enough computer services," she said. "At 8 p.m., there are 10 kids waiting to use the computers. That's not right."

Tanya Ruiz said she uses the lab at least once a week to look for jobs and other things.

"I wouldn't have access to the Internet without it," the city resident said.

The firm may also develop plans for a new building. The city is trying to attract a developer to build a hotel along the Maurice River near the facility. A new library could team with the developer's plans, Percelli said.

"We have to position ourselves very quickly," she said.

The library would like to add more programs, but does have budget issues, Percelli said. The operating budget for the current fiscal year is $675,000, of which about $651,000 is from the city, she said. The library lost 25 percent in aid from the state, about $8,000, she said.

Bill Fenton Jr., vice president of the library's board of trustees, said the body has confidence in Percelli to upgrade the library.

"She has the vision and energy I believe we need to help us grow and meet the needs of the public," he said.

Posted by tumulty at December 1, 2008 11:35 AM

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