Today’s Jamestown Sun’s article by David Luessen gives a good recap of the libraries continued effort to bring a new library to Jamestown and Stutsman County. Over the next few weeks, new ideas about the library will be shared.
Tag Archives: new library
The Latest JLG Architect Rendering Is Now Our Header
ARCHITECT RENDERING OF NEW LIBRARY
Above is architect JLG’s rendering of the new James River Valley Library. The view is looking east across 1st Ave. at the corner of 3rd St. The main entrance is on grade, no steps. Parking is on the north side of the addition.
Comments are Encouraged
The new library combines an approximate 17,000 sf state of the art addition to the renovated 11,000 sf Alfred Dickey facility. It takes advantage of today’s electronic innovations while preserving the beauty and heritage of the 1919 design.
The estimated cost of the new facility is $9,000,000. An initiative for a ¼% sales tax will be on the November 4th, 2014 ballot for city and county approval. The ¼% sales tax will cost the average Stutsman County family $33.75 a year according to the state tax office.
The target date for the grand opening is September 1, 2016.
The primary service that the public library provides is as the center of a community’s learning network, a learning network that serves pre-school through high school, college through seniors. The library provides the tools for every Stutsman County child, teen, adult and senior to acquire new skills. The library helps people connect to commerce, government and each other, with new devices and technologies while providing printed materials and access to research archives.
The key word is “ALL.” Not every child or adult has access to the internet, a smart phone or tablet. The library is crucial to those who do not have access to the latest electronic device. The library provides a balance of traditional materials, printed books, and internet access for learning.
Think about Louis L’Amour at the beginning of his life as a constant visitor to the Alfred Dickey Library. He credits AD in Education of a Wandering Man with giving him the learning tools he needed to become one of America’s greatest writers.
The next Louis L’Amour could be the first person to walk into the new James River Valley Library.
The new library will act as a catalyst for revitalizing downtown Jamestown. Studies show that whenever a new library is opened, patronage goes up, circulation goes up and the rest of the neighborhood and the community become more attractive to new talent and investment dollars.
Downtown James River Valley Library
JAMES RIVER VALLEY LIBRARY SYSTEM BOARD OK’S RENOVATION OF ALFRED DICKEY AND ADDITION TO THE NORTH
The JRVLS Board has approved options to purchase two properties adjacent to the Alfred Dickey Library. The two properties, directly north of AD will allow for the construction of a new two level 16,000 sf state of the art addition to the 11,200 sf Alfred Dickey facility. AD will be renovated to take advantage or today’s electronic innovations while preserving the beauty and heritage of the 1919 design. Bringing the classic and the contemporary together allows the board to honor the past and recognize a constantly changing learning environment.
The new facility will bring the Stutsman County Library, the bookmobile and the Alfred Dickey Library under one roof. The estimated cost of the new facility is $9,000,000. Net cost after donations is conservatively estimated at $7,750,000. An initiative for a ¼% sales tax will be on the November 4th, 2014 ballot for city and county approval. The ¼% sales tax will cost the average Stutsman County family $33.75 a year according to the state tax office.
The option agreements, included in the $9,000,000, are for the property owned by Satrom Rentals, immediately adjacent to AD, and the Maple Mall owned by Helen Ashwell. The Satrom property purchase price is $375,000. The Ashwell purchase price is $399,000. The option is good untill Feb. 15, 2014.
Volunteers will soon start collecting signatures to get the initiative on the ballot. 1,452 signatures from qualified voters in Stutsman County (15% of the voters in the 2013 general election) are required to get the initiative on the ballot. If you would like to help collect signatures, contact Bill Kennedy at 701 252-2217 or by email, billkennedy0@gmail.com
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