The Library Expansion Team kicked off their efforts by presenting their plan at the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon last week.
Orion Township Public Library Director Linda Sickles was on hand to discuss what the project entails, with assistance from James Mumby of Fanning/Howey Associates.
According to Sickles, the building where the library is currently housed, 825 Joslyn Road, was approved for construction in 1986, after the previous site became too small.
‘We built it and they did come, and now they keep coming and we have no place to put them,? she said.
Sickles said a township survey conducted in 2006 showed that the library is the most used facility in the community.
When the building was originally designed, it was designed for 200,000 transactions and a 100,000-item collection. Currently, the transactions have more than doubled to 450,000 and 170,000 items take up space that is needed for seating. Half of meeting room requests are denied, and children participating for programs find themselves faced with standing room only.
According to Sickles, based on 2006 figures, approximately 800 patrons used the library daily, or 70 patrons in an hour.
‘We’re maxed out,? she added. ‘You could say that we are victims of our own success.?
The project to expand the current location is the first of its kind in Orion Township.
‘This will be the first time we will not have to move to a different site, that we would actually be able to be here and expand what we got,? Sickles said.
The expansion would include specialized areas for children, adults and seniors. Other features include a drive-thru window, self-checkouts in the lobby and more meeting rooms and gallery space.
According to Sickles, even with the new space, the library could operate with the same amount of employees it currently does. The 43 members of staff would just be spread out differently.
Earlier this year, the Orion Township Board agreed to put the library issue on the May 8 ballot.
The bond would be at a rate of .616 mills for twenty years. According to calculations stimulated by the library, the average taxable value of a home in Lake Orion is $125,000. For a home such as this, the cost yearly would be $77.
This, Sickles said, is the price of a few hardcover books. She also reminds people that this includes all costs of the project, from the manpower to the materials.
The library board has been looking into expansion for seven years, since the overcrowding issue first became apparent. They believe that now is the time to do it, as construction and labor are down due to reduced demand.
‘I know this is a tough environment to get money in, but it is a great environment to build in,? said Mumby. ‘This is the time to build.?
According to Sickles, the current building was getting to a point where renovations and repairs were need anyway as things are breaking down around them. The building still houses the same carpet that was put in with the building was built 20 years ago. Things such as the heating and cooling equipment and lighting are not energy efficient and need to be replaced.
With that said, Sickles feels that the expansion will be a huge benefit to the community.
‘When times are tough, people need a strong library,? Sickles said.
‘Great communities build great libraries and great libraries build great communities.?
The Library Expansion Team has posted information about their plan on the web, which can be located through a link on the library’s website at orionlibrary.org.
Fundraising efforts for the library expansion will kick off on Friday night at the Orion Library Icebreaker. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will be held at Indianwood Golf and Country Club. Tickets are $30, and feature hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and live music.
Tickets can be purchased at the Orion branch of Oxford Bank, Poppyseed Restaurant, the Village Trophy Shop, the CERC building or by calling (248)693-7900.