November 25, 2020 at 12:37 p.m.
Board of Trustees eyes expansion of library building
Board of Trustees eyes expansion of library building
On Nov. 12 the board's building committee voted to accept a proposed contract with architect Peter Bolek.
Bolek has presented a three-phase plan. Phase 1 involves researching what can be done to the building as well as staff needs.
At this point, the building committee has approved only this first phase.
"We did this back a few years ago, and I modeled the same concept then, and I just adjust to now," Bolek told the committee via Zoom. "Phase 1 will investigate and see what is up and build consensus for the project."
Bolek will be paid a fixed fee of $40,500 to conduct the Phase 1 work. The building committee, and ultimately the Board of Trustees, will decide when Phase 2, which is fundraising to pay for the design and cost of the project, will begin.
"As we get into Phase 2, the scale of the project may change depending on fundraising," Bolek said. "I think there are opportunities for the library to make adjustments along the way. Neither of these two phases are meant to tie anyone down."
Committee chair Jane Roe said she wanted the committee to realize that while a plan is the end result of Phase 1, the library board could vote to walk away from the project at any point along the way.
"Phase 1 is to work the conceptual drawings and continue to refine those drawings so we know, and can show the community, where this project is going," Roe explained.
Bolek said he sees a lot of potential in the project, and is looking forward to getting started.
"Pending your approval, we can proceed and begin to collaborating with you, see what's possible as a consensus," he said.
Library director Virginia Roberts noted the plan has been scaled back from what was discussed several years ago.
One committee member had an objection to starting Phase 1 before discussing what the library is looking for in terms of an expansion.
"That is what the Phase 1 is really meant to do," Bolek said. "It will be a collaboration and discussion with you to decide what should be the arrangement of the new library layout. We do have a site that has limitations. The first thing we will look at is look at where can we add new space and how feasible is that. And once we understand that, we can look at what goes into that new space? How do we reconfigure within the existing building?"
"We're not going to say to you 'this is what you need, no if, ands or buts about it,' but to help you decide what goes where," he added.
The committee will get some help, in terms of fundraising expertise, from Ryan Zietlow CEO of the YMCA of the Northwoods.
"I try to keep myself involved with what's going on in the community," Zietlow said. "I have helped others achieve goals, visions and strategic planning."
Zietlow said when he and his family moved to Rhinelander from Green Bay, the library helped ease the transition.
"I would say that the library here is part of our family during that timeframe," Zietlow said.
"It's critical to make sure that you have the right vision that can really get the stakeholders onboard and to let people know what you intend to provide to the community," he added.
Committee member Harry Whidden noted that when the library first started exploring expansion, the panel looked to Merrill for inspiration. He said Merrill set up a "unique opportunity" for manufacturers in that city to buy into the library, and would recognize them with murals, names on plaques, etc.
"They really help with the matching fundraising through their companies," Whidden said. "Is that even something that we can even pursue?"
Zietlow replied that as the Rhinelander business community becomes more open to such partnerships, they will develop. He noted that the Hodag Dome, which was partially funded by private donations, is an example of this starting to happen.
Another thing the library leadership will have to take into consideration is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.
"The next six months to six years, the needs of the library may change as we navigate our way out of this," Zietlow said. "How will people utilize the library and what will the library be, all of those pieces in phase one really set you up for what happens in the most important phase."
Roe said many area residents still tend to look at the library as a non-essential service.
"We are seen by so many people in the community as a luxury, not an essential service," Roe said. "My belief has always been that the library is just as essential as police and fire and any other departments that are essential."
Roberts said the current health situation has made the library all the more critical.
"The pandemic has brought people to the library who had never used it before," she said.
Another concern mentioned was whether having the library and the YMCA running capital campaigns at the same time might lead to donor fatigue.
"There will always be limits for large campaigns looking for large amounts of money," Zietlow said.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at jamie@rivernews online.com.
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