Contact:
Susan Rudnicky
585/589-4246 or
srudn@nioga.org
Moving Forward with a Firm Plan for the Future
(Albion, New York – June 25, 2009) The Swan Library Board of Directors is moving forward with a firm plan to relocate the library to another Main Street location within the village of Albion. In this most recent step, the Board has authorized a purchase offer for the acquisition of the former Dales’ Supermarket, a 35,000 square foot facility. The building, originally constructed in 1960 as a W.T. Grant Department Store, will be razed by the present owners to make way for a single story, new library. The supermarket, owned and operated by the Pilon family, was shuttered in 2007.
This spring a 15-member volunteer advisory group recommended the Dales’ property to the Library Board of Directors over a second Main Street location. The size of the new library will range between 12,000 and 15,000 square feet depending on overall costs of construction. The 160-year old Burrow’s mansion, which presently houses Swan Library and its collections on three floors, will be retained to allow an orderly transition to the new facility, and potentially provide both storage and programming space in the future.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be less than $3.1 million. The Library Board is prepared to use grants, proceeds from a community capital campaign, and current library assets in combination with a commercial long term mortgage to cover expenses.
A fall 2008 feasibility study surveying 45 community leaders confirmed that overcrowded aisles and workspace, limited parking and accessibility issues have discouraged local library users for years, and consideration should strongly be given to improving present operating conditions. The Dale’s facility was also favorably received given its location, availability of parking, and vacant status.
“We’ve had a vision for a new library for years, but with the assistance of community leaders and numerous volunteers, we now have a solid, workable plan in place,” says Kevin Doherty, President of the Library Board of Directors. “This strategy is easily achievable, and our current users – including over 6,200 card holders - and visitors will experience a huge jump in the quality and quantity of library services, collections and resources.”
If and when the purchase offer of $450,000 is accepted, the Library Board will formally approve the purchase. This will begin the timetable for demolition and clean-up. Bidding for construction of the new library is not expected until spring of 2010.
News Release
Swan Library
As Per March 13, 2009
Swan Library Moves Forward with Future Plan
(Albion, New York – March 13, 2009) A 15-member advisory committee has presented a third-party building recommendation to the Swan Library Board of Trustees. As a result, volunteers are one step closer to realizing a new facility to replace the current library – now over 100 years old - located on Main Street in Albion. A Fall 2008 feasibility study surveying 45 community leaders confirmed that overcrowded aisles and workspace, limited parking and accessibility issues have discouraged local library users for years, and consideration should be strongly given to improving present operating conditions.
Charged with identifying the most appropriate building and construction plan, the committee analyzed present library space, reviewed all previous site proposals with cost projections, and investigated peer libraries in the region. Their analysis suggested that a new facility of approximately 12,500 square feet is the most appropriate size based on current and expected needs, and public and private funding sources. This recommendation reduces previous cost projections by roughly $2 million. The group also suggested that a new facility be located on Main Street, and that the current library be retained as a local history resource center.
“I am exited about this recommendation,” says Kevin Doherty, President of the Swan Library Board of Trustees. “This is the closest we’ve been to establishing a firm action plan in the twenty years of exploring the library’s future. My hat is off to the members of the committee who’ve worked diligently to crunch the numbers and ask the difficult questions to make this recommendation air tight. They’ve certainly served the community well, and local residents should be confident that the concept now on the table is the most cost effective and efficient to service local library needs now and in the future.”
To maintain progress, the Swan Library Board of Trustees has directed the Advisory Committee to select from two options the final location of a new Main Street library, and provide detailed construction cost estimates. Doherty expects a fully developed proposal with action timeline in April.
As building specifics are finalized, funding sources for the proposed $3 to $3.5 million facility are being analyzed by local leaders. The library plan has been included on a list of projects submitted at the request of Governor Paterson and the State Education Department for consideration of funding under provisions of the Federal Stimulus Package which was recently enacted. The project was submitted on behalf of the Swan Library Board by the NIOGA Library System, the regional cooperative organization which represents Western New York's' libraries and coordinates their activities. According to Doherty, it is unclear at this time period whether library projects will ultimately be funded by the State using stimulus funds.
Members of the Swan Library Advisory Committee include Alan Worgo, Lisa Misiak, Mike McFarland, Pat Shelp, Roger LaMont, Wil Harris, Karen Sawicz, Kevin Doherty, Lynne Philipps, Dan Monacelli, Mario Belgiorno, Donna Wolcott, Dick Remley, Ken Braunbach and Susan Bourke. Meeting every two weeks since mid-November 2008, the group is a diverse mix of library volunteers, community members, and individuals with construction, business and library operations experience.
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