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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 bo,./tfs Library group sets sights on referenduni By Laura Musuras Oak Brook Staff Writer Now that the Oak Brook Village Board has agreed to put an advisory referendum question on the Nov. 5, 1996,election ballot concerning a new village library,a project schedule was prepared this month so the board can meet its goal. The fust and only task on the schedule until the elec- tion is the hiring of a consultant to complete a concept design for a new library and nothing else,according to Village Manager Stephen Veitch. "Request for proposals were sent out this week.This space planning study will not be expensive or time-con- suming. We want someone to come in and flesh out some concepts for us,"Veitch said. The study will analyze and review the space required for a library of the 21st century,Veitch said. "The extra space is going to be needed less for books and more for the electronic needs of the library and the patrons themselves,"Veitch said. In the village's five-year plan,which trustees approved earlier this month, $3 million was earmarked for the construction of a new library. The estimated cost is based on a library that will be about four times larger than the existing 5,000-square- foot facility at 1212 Oak Brook Road. Because funding is available,the referendum question will ask voters if they support the construction of a new library and not whether they want to pay for it. "And that's an important point. We need to have the residents understand that by saying yes they won't be incurring any additional debt," Library Commission President Roberta Petz said. The Library Commission is a three-member group that advises the Village Board on library issues.The Library Association is the philanthropic arm of the library and helps financially support library events. Petz said both groups are happy the issue will be resolved soon. "Members of this commission and the Library Association have been trying various routes for a num- ber of years without success. It's almost unbelievable that this issue is going to be resolved,"Petz said. As next year's election draws closer,Petz expects both library groups will come together to form a united effort to inform the residents about the referendum question. "When we get closer we will be compiling the facts and disseminating the information to residents," she said. "It's important that they're making an informed decision."