I love public libraries. Very, very important. But a look at what the Public Library of Mecklenburg County intends to spend money on is eye-popping. A Power Point presentation made last week sketches out about $45 million for four new libraries and — this is truly shocking — about $24 million to “up-fit” five more.
Renovation targets include:
- Independence Regional Library — Opened in 1996, it will get $8.1m. in work and a 10,000-square foot “vibrant, active” expansion to appeal to teen users.
- Plaza Midwood — Opened in 1995, it already needs $2.2m. worth of work on its mere 8000-square foot space, including additional Spanish-language features and programs.
- Mint Hill — Opened in 1999, it requires $3.1m. worth of “internal reorganization.”
- West Blvd. — Opened in 1996, it needs $3.5m. to create “popular display areas to enhance patron usage.”
- North County Regional — Opened in 1997, the space requires $6.3m. in part for a computer lab intended to help the “local immigrant population seeking work force enhancement and social assimilation.”
The obvious question is what in the world is going on that is wearing out libraries so fast and why does renovation cost so much? It is as if the foundation, walls, and supporting footprint count for nothing in the cost. How much does it cost to “up-fit” an office building, for example?
Then there is the issue of providing additional services to a population that includes a large percentage of non-citizens who do not pay income taxes. This entire plan and spending program seems to running on automatic pilot, so it is unclear if asking questions about the focus and priorities means anything.
But that’s kinda what we do around here, regardless.
Bonus Observation: And does not include persistent rumblings about both the need for fix-ups at the ImaginOn (already!) and the public library suddenly casting an eye on the Spirit Square property. How that works, I have no idea.
