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Library Suggests New Course of Action for County Commissioners

Cheyenne, Wyo. - Following the actions taken during a special meeting of the Laramie County Commissioners this afternoon, a new plan for the Laramie County Library System's building project may be in the works.

The meeting was held to consider the resolution proposed by the library, seeking inclusion on the November 2002 specific purpose tax ballot for the purposes of constructing a new Laramie County Library building, obtaining a new bookmobile, and enhancing the Pine Bluffs Branch Library.

Sharyn Guthridge, chair of the LCLS Board of Directors, acknowledged that the board would consider constructing the library in phases, similar to the Laramie County jail project. Under this plan, the library would construct a facility of approximately 90,000 square feet. A highly preliminary estimate for this project was listed at $21 million, but this amount does not include operations and maintenance.

A new bookmobile would still be included in these funds, but it was uncertain whether the amount would allow for the improvements at the library in Pine Bluffs.

Guthridge acknowledged that the library still hopes to construct a facility of the projected size of 130,000 square feet, but felt that building a facility of the smaller size at this point would address the critical need for space in the LaramieCounty Library.

However, the library would need to return to the voters at a later date to complete the project, although it was not immediately clear how long this would take.

On June 4, members of the LCLS Board will again meet with the county commissioners with more concrete figures regarding the alternative proposal. Members of the board expect to meet with the architectural team and the library building consultant in the upcoming days to create the plan.

While the commissioners seemed favorable to the proposal, Commissioner Jeff Ketcham admitted that constituents in eastern Laramie County have concerns about the project, including the location, the cost, the benefits to that part of the county, and the potential harm to the passage of the fifth-penny tax.

"We see the need for this money in Laramie County and wholeheartedly support the fifth-penny tax," Guthridge said. Much of the library's budget for materials, including books, comes from fifth-penny tax.

During the meeting, members of the public addressed concerns that any new library would include conference rooms and commercial businesses that would compete with private businesses. Guthridge responded that free meeting rooms for non-profit organizations are currently and will continue to be part of the library, but that a new library would not house commercial vendors.

The commissioners agreed to table the issue until June 4, when the library board will have a new proposal prepared seeking the creation of a resolution for the ballot.

"Personally, I think it's only fair to let this thing go to the voters," Commissioner Jack Knudson said. Knudson also commended the board for the thoroughness of the actions they have taken over the last several months to inform the community and prepare for this project, encouraging the board to go to the voters in a fashion that can best ensure passage.

For more information, call the library at 635-1032, ext. 121.