This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Library Backers Unveil a Proposal

Friends of the Library backs a larger space, while the deputy mayor expresses concern.

Under a proposal by Moorestown's , the town's new library would be 33,000 to 36,000 square feet. 

John O'Meara, representing the group, made the proposal Monday evening to Town Council and members of the community.

Following library space planning guides compiled by officials in other states—Connecticut, Wisconsin and Virginia—the Friends of the Library offered this plan based on the town’s population, registered borrowers, and current volume and collections. 

Find out what's happening in Moorestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

O'Meara's report considered an expected increase in population in the town over the next 20 years, although enrollment in the schools is forecasted to decrease.

“The town will need to accommodate more users," said O’Meara. Nearly 20,000 more library users are anticipated.

Find out what's happening in Moorestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And, the current volume and collections total 150,000.

O’Meara also said new space should be adequate for community meetings and programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library, house the collections and e-book materials, and offer tutoring space.

Deputy Mayor Greg Gallo expressed concern about the need for more space conflicting with the Town Hall Task Force’s previous proposal of 22,000 square feet.

“Since we [the town] built the [existing] building, we have never used the whole space,” said Gallo of the current 37,800-square-foot library. “The entire upstairs is completely vacant.”

According to O’Meara, the upstairs space is being used for storage of considerable amounts of library items and children's materials.  

Mayor John Button said he was pleased to see additional facts and information to aid in the library determination.

“These are more resources for all of us to pour through,” said Button.

In other action:

  • The Main Street bridge, CR-537, which connects Maple Shade to Moorestown has reopened earlier than projected.
  • Demolition of the McDonald’s in West Moorestown should begin within two weeks, with construction of the new McDonald’s being completed at the end of eight weeks. The new building follows an updated model for McDonald’s.
  • Thomas Merchel will continue as acting township manager for another 90 days, as the search for a permanent replacement continues.
  • Three dams in Strawbridge Lake need replacing. Engineers from the township engineering group, The Alaima Group, have submitted a survey report.
  • The demolition of Town Hall has been delayed.

 

Town Council will hold a special joint workshop meeting with the Town Hall/Library Project Task Force on Thursday, July 14, at 9 a.m., at 2 Executive Drive, Suite 9A, Conference Room.

Meeting notice is here.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?