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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. WHY DOES SOMONAUK NEED A NEW LIBRARY?

A. Our library building is very out of date and it does not allow us to provide the type of library service that other communities expect. A first-rate community deserves a first-rate library. Some of the problems that have been identified include:

• The Library does not meet accessibility codes in a number of ways.
• The lack of floor space forces the library to limit the number of books and to house many on very high and low shelving. The collection cannot be expanded without taking space away from other areas.


• We are unable to offer children’s and adult programs on-site.


• The building is too small. It does not have enough space for people, collections, staff, storage, and public programs.


• There is no good space for computers.


• There are no quiet reading spaces.


• The Library has no staff work areas


• The Library has no public meeting room.


• The Library has no study rooms.


• Staff workspaces are nonexistent. Service desks are too small. The staff lunchroom is also very small.


• Parking is extremely limited.


• The building provides no designated storage space.

Q. WHY BUILD A NEW BUILDING? COULDN’T WE ADD ON TO THE EXISTING LIBRARY?

A. The existing building does not meet accessibility standards. Adding on to the building with a similar square footage to the new library would provide no windfall savings to the community.
The existing building and site has limited acreage for expansion and parking. Future expansion would also be limited. The existing library would need to be closed at least part of the time in order to build an addition to the existing library.

The construction of a completely new facility would provide us with a “clean slate” and an opportunity to design a library from scratch. This would result in a building with much more economy and efficiency of space.

A new facility would provide space for expanded library collections, more computers and technology, and better working conditions for library staff. It would also provide ample parking.

Investing in a new building is the best long-term solution. In addition to meeting the needs of today, it will provide room to grow and will help us to better meet the needs of tomorrow.

Q. WHY SHOULD WE BUILD A NEW LIBRARY IN SOMONAUK WHEN THERE ARE OTHER LIBRARIES NEARBY?

A. The presence of a library in a community says a lot about that community. A library reinforces the importance of education and culture to our children, and it is an important medium for transmitting and sharing that culture. And finally, the library is great for business – a new library in Somonauk could be the single most important factor in securing the economic health of our community.

Libraries pride themselves in their willingness to share resources and to assist library users from neighboring communities; however, there is a limit to the amount of service we can expect to receive from other libraries because they were not built with the needs of our community in mind. Resource sharing is based upon the notion of reciprocity, and strengthening library service in Somonauk will help to assure that our current high level of cooperation and sharing can continue.

Q. WON’T TECHNOLOGY ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR MORE LIBRARY SPACE?

A. No. It is an established fact that the types of service communities expect from their libraries require more space, not less. It is not a case of books OR computers, it is a case of books AND computers. While tremendous amounts of information can be stored in tiny spaces, the computers that access this information take up a lot of space. Although we currently have room for some patron computers, the space provided is clearly inadequate, and space requirements for this usage will become even greater in the future. In addition, the Library serves people who love books. Book use is stronger than ever and books will always be an integral part of library service.

Q. HOW DOES OUR LIBRARY COMPARE IN BUILDING SIZE WITH COMPARABLE COMMUNITIES?

A. It is centrally located for all library patrons and still close to the downtown area. There will be easy access and plenty of parking. The site is large enough to be able to expand parking and the building in the future. We will be able to purchase this site outright with money from our reserve fund.

Q. WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE EXISTING BUILDING?

A. Decisions about what we do with the existing building will be determined at a future date. We plan to stay in the current library building until the new library is ready for occupancy.

Q. WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE LIBRARY BOARD TO GET TO THIS
POINT?

A. The Library Board of Trustees has been working on this project for about 5 years. Some of the steps taken, include: Working with a library building consultant to develop a building program statement; attending seminars on various topics related to the building; interviewing and hiring an architect to develop a design and site plan and cost for the new library; working with a financial consultant to develop a financial plan for the project; negotiating with the property owner to acquire land for the library site.

Q. WHAT WILL THE NEW LIBRARY PROVIDE?

A. The library is the cultural heart of our community, and it is a statement of who we are and what we value. The new library will have something for everyone—senior citizens, teenagers, children, adults, families, and students. In keeping with nationwide trends, our new library will be a place where people can hear lectures, see movies and art exhibits, and surf the Internet. It will be a place where people can come together to experience an enhanced feeling of community. In light of recent world events the Library’s role as a community-gathering place will be more important than ever before.

The new 15,000 square footage library will:

• Offer a larger selection of books and audio-visual materials


• Be a place where people of all ages can gather together


• Provide programs of intellectual and cultural value


• Offer enhanced access to technology with more space for individual computer use, as well as small group instruction


• Provide work areas for staff


• Provide quiet reading areas for adults


• Provide comfortable, quiet areas for individual and group study


• Provide more tables and chairs for study


• Offer on-site children and adult programming


• Provide a large meeting room for use by the community


• More computers


• A young adult area


• Ample parking


• Drive-up book drop


• The library will be entirely handicapped accessible

• Increase preschool and elementary collections


• Improve the collection size for teen materials


• Provide a children’s story and program room:


• Provide separate youth study areas and computer lab


• Provide group project areas

• Increase collections of popular books


• Increase the size of the large-print collection


• Expand business collections


• Provide a quiet reading room with lounge chairs


• Provide additional study areas, seating and work tables

• Expand audio-visual collections


• Provide more computers for individual use and group instruction

• Increased availability for community groups

Q. I DON’T USE THE LIBRARY, HOW WILL I BENEFIT?

A. The quality of the library, schools, parks and village services influence the overall quality of life in a community and the market value of homes. The new library will have something for everyone, so even those who don’t currently use the library may take advantage of some of the new programs and services that will be provided in the future!

Q. HOW LONG IS THE NEW LIBRARY EXPECTED TO ADEQUATELY SERVE THE PUBLIC?

A. The new library building and site is expected to last for 20-40 years. We will have the capability to add on to the building in phases as needed in the future.

Q. WHAT WILL THE NEW LIBRARY LOOK LIKE?

A. The new library will be constructed with traditional materials (brick, stone, wood), and the overall result will be a building that will maintain an aesthetic of warmth and style and charm. The library’s size and scale will appropriately relate to its location, and the character of the building will enhance the feeling of pride that we all have in our community.

Q. WHY DOESN’T THE SOMONAUK LIBRARY BUILD A JOINT LIBRARY WITH THE SOMONAUK SCHOOL DISTRICT?

A. Although at first combining school and public libraries seems a logical and reasonable idea, there are significant obstacles to establishing libraries, which are effective both as school libraries and as public libraries. Several reasons being: different missions, different hours, different staff pay scales, young library users commingled with older patrons, different book collection and internet standards, site access and security issues and of course different funding sources.

Q. WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE NEW LIBRARY PROJECT?

A. The estimated project cost has not yet been finalized. The expected cost will be in the $2.5 to $3.5 million range.

Q. HOW WILL THE NEW LIBRARY BE FINANCED?

A. The Library will borrow the money needed by issuing general obligation bonds and pay the money back with interest over 20 years. The Library will pay off the bonds (loan) from the additional real estate property taxes that must be approved by referendum.

Q. WHAT IS A BOND ISSUE?

A. A bond issue can simply be defined as a loan. The library borrows the money needed by issuing general obligation tax exempt municipal library bonds and pays the money back with interest over a period of 20 years. The library sells the bonds via competitive bid to banks and investment firms and pays off the bonds (loan) from real estate property taxes.

Q. IS THIS A GOOD TIME TO SELL BONDS?

A. Yes. Interest rates for tax-exempt municipal bonds are at a very favorable level. Presently, long-term interest rates are between 4.25% and 4.75%.

Q. WILL THE LIBRARY NEED AN INCREASE IN ITS OPERATING RATE?

A. Based on our research today, we do not need an operating referendum. The new library will cost more to operate, but the library will fund the costs of operating the new library with its existing taxing authority. Some funds for library materials and equipment may come from the bond issue.

Q. HOW MUCH WILL THE NEW LIBRARY COST ME AS A HOMEOWNER?

A. The amount of the increase for the bond issue needed to finance the new library has not been finalized yet. At this time, we expect the added cost for a family with a $175,000 home will be between $40 to $60 a year or $3 to $5 more per month.