The Campbell Reporter

News

Library study reinforces idea that bigger facility is needed

By Koren Temple

Campbell is in need of a new library facility almost double the size of the existing one to accommodate a growing population in the next 25 years.

A $40,000 library needs assessment report found the current library has an insufficient layout, poor acoustics, spatial limitations for collections, and overcrowded workstations for library staff. There is also a lack of quiet in adult and teen study areas and insufficient patron seating.

The information was presented to city officials at a Feb. 6 at a study session. However, council members are taking a wait-and-see approach before they move forward with any definitive plans.

"Without a bond, I don't know if we can ever come up with the money for the new library. For us to just do it, we'd have to stop everything in the city," Campbell Vice Mayor Don Burr said.

The estimated cost for building a new two-story library is $19 million, and the city has $175,000 in a reserve to pay for the new facility, according to Al Bito, assistant to the Campbell city manager.

Even with the hefty price tag, city officials decided to proceed with its library needs-assessment study despite the June 6 failure of Proposition 81, a library bond measure that would have granted libraries additional funding for refurbishment. If the bond measure had passed, Campbell could have applied for a $10 million state grant. The Campbell Library was built in 1975 and is one of the oldest libraries in the Santa Clara County library system.

The needs assessment was funded through the Campbell Redevelopment Agency. It included input from community meetings, focus groups and surveys.

There is still hope on the horizon to fund the new facility, however. State Sen. Joe Simitian introduced a $4 billion library construction and renovation bond measure, SB 156, which would go before voters in 2008. If passed, the first round of awards would be made in 2009, with monies ranging from $500,000 to $30 million. This is the earliest Campbell could receive any available bond funding.

Kathy Page, a library consultant hired by the city to spearhead the needs assessment, said the city has a good shot at qualifying for bond money based on the library's many needs.

Other recommendations the report outlined would be to provide 265,000 books and media items and 62 public-access computers. A meeting room with a capacity for 125 people, two small conference rooms, group study space, and an enclosed children's room were recommended.