In a light regular meeting of the Three Rivers Public Library (TRPL) board Tuesday, Board Chair Julie Keefer and Acting Director Bobbi Schoon said public response to the former bank building at Main and Moore Streets has been good so far. TRPL staff moved into the new building in August as contractors were finishing up renovations on the building, which the board acquired in 2017. Curbside lending service resumed in September, and the building opened to limited visitation earlier in October.
Keefer called the new building “sensational” after asking if other board members had a chance to see it on the inside. “I think we should all be very proud and grateful that we have such a beautiful space in our community.” Keefer thanked Schoon and the TRPL staff for the time and effort they have put into arranging each of the spaces on the building’s two main stories. “I know we still have a ways to go, but it’s been a really great thing, just to see a lot of positive responses on social media,” despite uncertainties and doubts about the project in its early planning stages.
The library is currently open for up to 35 guests at a time for up to one hour at a time. Patrons can browse the collections and use the computers and fax machine. Some of the seating and other features remain closed out of social distancing and sanitary concerns, but Schoon said traffic in the building has been steady and there are “lots of books being checked out.”
Schoon said staff are “glad to be open and able to serve again.” She said staff looks forward to being able to offer more in-person services, but said because of pandemic-related precautions, most special programs will be limited to virtual programming at least through December.
Snow Removal Bid Approved
Board members approved contracting with Riley Pumpkin Farm for snow and ice removal services for the library’s walks, entrances, and parking lots. Schoon said two bids were received, but after revisions were requested, only one submitted a revised bid in time for Tuesday’s meeting. Due to the unpredictability of snowfalls, Tuesday’s approval of Riley’s bid did not place a cap on total expenditures.
Due to that responsiveness, a previous history of responsiveness by Riley in performing landscape work, and the consistency of having the same company perform warm and cold weather work, Schoon recommended Riley’s bid despite the fact that it was higher. Riley bid $165 per visit for snow removal, $30 to clear front and rear entrances, and $130 for salt as needed. First Impressions submitted a competing bid of $150 per visit for snow removal, $100 for salt, and $20 for the entrances.
Schoon to Negotiate with Park Township
Following a closed meeting session, the TRPL Board authorized Schoon to enter into negotiations with Park Township in order to resolve an ongoing dispute over the township’s contribution to the library’s funds. According to contracts, the township was to contribute funds based on the number of township residences that have a Three Rivers address as recognized by the post office.
However, it has been contributing funds since 2005 based on which residences are within the Three Rivers School District instead. In a letter submitted to the TRPL board last month, Township Supervisor Ed English said the township has been paying the correct contracted amount but offered to round the sum up “as a gesture of goodwill.” Otherwise, he said, the township would terminate its contract with TRPL.
Following receipt of that letter, the TRPL board instructed Schoon to seek legal counsel to provide guidance to board members. Tuesday’s board vote authorizes Schoon to negotiate a settlement of the dispute with the township.
Woman’s Club Inquires About Archival Space
Schoon said she had a recent conversation with the Three Rivers Woman’s Club (TRWC) about the possibility of leasing space to them in the new library building’s basement. She said the request is not necessarily related to an ongoing negotiation between the Carnegie Center for the Arts and TRWC concerning TRWC’s leased office space in that building. Instead, she said, TRWC is interested in library space specifically for the storage of its archives and for projects space.
Keefer said the idea is “worth exploring,” and called TRWC “a great local organization.” TRPL board member Mike Fleckenstein said he was “open to exploring” the idea and “finding out specifics.” Schoon said TRWC would likely only need space for some filing cabinets and a desk. With board members’ agreement, Schoon will explore possible rent figures and other terms with TRWC and will check with City officials regarding any possible rules that might impact the renting of space in the building.
Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.
