The mayor's library task force is hosting a community open house on Tuesday, March 9, from 4-7 p.m. at the library. Residents will be able to learn about and give feedback on the following topics:
– Does Concord need a new library?
– What would a 21st century library offer to Concord?
– Where would the new library be?
– What would its benefits be to Concord?
– How could you get involved?
The task force has been hard at work since last January looking at the possibility of new library, where it would be and what sort of costs would be involved. After evaluating 20 sites, the task force identified a three-quarter acre section of Storrs Street that could be redeveloped for the new library. Task force chairwoman Jan McClure spoke about her committee's work on the Concord TV program “@ Your Library.” She said the public forum is the last step before the task force presents a final report to city council.
The current library is 70 years old, and only 57 percent – about 19,000 square feet – of the space is usable, according to the city's assistant for special projects, Matt Walsh. The current standard for libraries is for 80 percent of the building to be usable space. Walsh added that the cost of renovating the current library is comparable to building a new library on a different site.
If you'd like to study up before you go to the open house, read the library's needs assessment report and view Concord TV's program at http://www.concordpubliclibrary.net (for links, click “Concord Public Library News Site” under “highlights.”
