Portage Library Board to Make Case to Council for Building Expansion

Library board to make case for expansion to Council next month. (Portage Daily Register, 9/13/2011)

Excerpt:   The Portage Public Library Board continues to gear up for a big meeting with the Portage Common Council in the coming weeks.

The board members soon expect to present their case for partial public financing of their proposed $1.5 million library expansion project. They want the city to contribute a couple hundred thousand dollars.

Library officials said Tuesday at their monthly board meeting that they expect to go in front of the Common Council on Oct. 13 or Oct. 27. The board had expected to present to the Council at the end of August. The presentation, however, was delayed.

Board President Rich Davis is expected to head the presentation to Common Council members, who will have to decide whether the city can afford to contribute to the effort in 2012.

The city is planning for a very tight budget in 2012, and the library is expected to compete with other city infrastructure priorities. The city's final budget for the next year is usually approved near the Thanksgiving holiday.

The library board recently hired a firm to handle a public fund-raising campaign for the expansion project, while other monies could come from foundation grants.

Library Director Shannon Schultz said she hopes to have the library board and members of the volunteer Friends of the Library group in attendance of the Council meeting to show support for the project.

It is unclear how the Common Council might vote on the library expansion project. The topic has been a topic of discussion, but no one has yet made definitive statements of support.

Related posts:
Library moves forward with building expansion.  (8/12/2011)
Board approves feasibility study for library expansion.  (7/1/2011)
Board reviews estimates for expansion project.  (6/22/2011)
Library expansion plans continue to develop.  (2/9/2011)
Library expansion to focus on youth services.  (10/15/2010)
Putting together the financial pieces for building expansion.  (5/12/2010)
Library seeks community input for expansion.  (1/13/2010)
Board discussion rental property options.  (11/11/2009)