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February 23, 2009
Millville library seeks public input
The DailyJournal.com
By JOEL LANDAU • Staff Writer • February 23, 2009
MILLVILLE -- City residents have an opportunity to shape their library's future.
Millville Public Libra-ry has scheduled a town meeting Thursday for all local residents. Those who attend will be asked to state what they like and don't like about the Buck Street facility, and what types of services they want the library to provide.
The library hired a Philadelphia-based firm, Library Development Solutions, to develop a feasibility study for the facility that includes plans for fundraising, space and a new facility, according to Library Director Irene Percelli.
The firm will conduct the meeting and collect the public's responses, she said.
The library also will invite people to attend nine focus groups representing different demographics of its customer base, including children, teenagers, senior citizens, educators and city officials, Percelli said.
"When you plan for a library, you plan for what people will want for the next 20 years," she said.
The library hopes to approve the plan by summer, and in September submit a letter to the American Library Association to update the organization on its progress.
Percelli said there's hope the new federal stimulus bill will include money for libraries, so the Millville facility wants to be in position to move ahead with a new project.
Meanwhile, the city is working to bring a new hotel along the riverfront near the library.
The city's economic development director, Don Ayres, said that project would not impact the library, but a hotel could spur more development along the riverfront.
Ayres said a developer could then make a proposal on the library's site, which the city owns, and include a new building for the library in the plans.
"We'd all like to see a new, state-of-the-art li-brary," he said, although he added there are no current plans to build a new facility
Posted by tumulty at February 23, 2009 10:05 AM
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