Do great libraries need to be a certain size? We don’t think so. That’s why SMARTaxes is urging a NO vote on the $12.9 million Library expansion bond on the November 8 referendum question.
We agree with the overwhelming majority of Scarborough residents — our Public Library is a special place and an invaluable Town resource. And with fewer than 2% of residents indicating dissatisfaction with the Library in the 2021 Community Survey, it is very clear that the Library is doing its job in a manner with which we can all be proud. We are indeed fortunate to have such a remarkable Library staff.
But that well-earned support for the Library cannot be taken as blank check for an expansion that goes significantly above what most residents would consider prudent or affordable if they knew all the facts. Some of those key facts which have not been shared by the Town or the Library follow.
The proposed new Library will be just over 35,000 square feet. That’s about 2.7 times larger than the 12,900 square feet of the existing Library. To put the proposed size into perspective, it’s 9,000 square feet or 35% bigger than Town Hall. So if you imagine adding another story to the current Town Hall, you’ll have an idea of the size of the proposed new Library.
But it’s not just the sheer size of the proposed expansion that’s troublesome; it’s also that the size of the expansion has grown significantly in less than three years. In a January, 2020 architects’ report, three options were presented for an expanded Library. Those options ranged from about 20,000 to 25,000 square feet. Then a report to the Town Council in April, 2020 noted a proposed size of 30,000 square feet. And the building being considered in the November 8 referendum is 35,000 square feet! How did we go from a January, 2020 option of 20,000 square feet to one of 35,000 square feet in November, 2022?
While we appreciate that the Library currently has some modest space needs, the current proposed expansion goes well beyond fulfilling them and includes significant program additions that have not been quantified or widely shared with the public.
One of the main unquantified space needs noted by the Library is that for additional meeting room space. The proposed expansion solves that supposed problem by adding five small meeting/conference rooms for 8-16 people each, two activity rooms that can accommodate about 40-60 individuals and a large meeting room that can seat up to 182. We have seen no evidence of demand that even remotely justifies that much space. Since the cost of this expansion is nearly $400 per square foot, it is imperative that every square foot of space be justified. Build it and they will come is not a winning planning strategy.
Finally, residents need to be aware that critical details of the agreement about the project between the Town and the Library have not been resolved. For instance, who is responsible for any shortfall if the Library fails to reach its $3 million fundraising goal? And who is responsible in the event of cost overruns on the project? Since the Town provides nearly all the Library’s funding, the obvious answer is that taxpayers will be on the hook for any fundraising shortfalls or project cost overruns. The bond issue should never have been placed on the ballot until these matters had been settled.
For an expansion of this scope, residents deserve a plan that both persuasively quantifies needs and clearly defines the financial risks involved. This proposal does neither and should be rejected with a NO vote by November 8.
SMARTaxes has prepared an informative list of Frequently Unanswered Questions about the Library expansion. Residents who want to be fully informed should review the list at the smartaxes.com website before voting.
This opinion is solely the opinion of the author and SMARTaxes does not represent the opinion of the Leader.
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