Library close to naming South site

BY JESSIE BURCHETTE
SALISBURY POST

The announcement is expected within the next few weeks, according to Phil Barton, library director.

The staff and library board are asking county commissioners to approve money to hire an architect and design the facility during the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Commissioners set aside $200,000 this year for purchase of property and have said construction will begin in the 2001-2002 fiscal year. By that time, the county will have retired the loan on the main library.

Barton estimates the new South Branch will cost about $3.5 million, including land and an estimated $180,000 for architectural fees.

In a memo to the county, Barton said the expansion will be the first of the South Branch since 1989. Under the library staff timetable, construction could start by June 2001. Barton hopes to open the library in mid-2002.

Barton has also asked commissioners for the go-ahead on a fund-raising campaign. He estimates a campaign could raise $500,000.

Having a design and a sketch of  the new facility would boost fund raising. 'You have to have a picture,' said Barton.

Barton said the current library can't hold any more books.  'We can't grow the collection at South any more,' he said.

Once a new building is constructed, the county and library board must decide what to do with the current South Branch property in Landis. Barton said the building was originally donated by the Linn-Corriher Co. and may contain deed restrictions.

County Commissioner Dave Rowland said he heard that Parkdale Mills might donate land on South Main Street in Landis, and he encouraged library officials to approach the company.

Rowland said it would be advantageous to the county to get four or five acres, a tract large enough to accommodate a library and possibly south branches for other county offices.

Barton agreed to contact Parkdale.

In addition to the new branch library, the library director is asking for about $180,000 to upgrade the library's automation system.

The current automation system that handles circulation and other services was installed in 1988. Barton outlined several problems with updating the current system. For one thing, the manufacturer is getting out of the library business.

Barton said the new system:

• Allows users greater access to information through improved search capabilities, searching simultaneously for books, magazine articles and Web sites at the same time.
• Can place a phone call to those with overdue books.
• Can call and advise someone when a reserved book is available.

Because the switch-over is complicated, library officials would like to do that in the coming year before undertaking the branch library project. Approximately $20,000 in reimbursements from telecommunications services will be used.