Council puts addition on November ballot

"We are so thrilled. We are all thrilled," said Barbara Ryberg, president of the Friends of the Ashland Public Library. "The council acted in a responsible manner -- what this means is they are allowing the voters to express themselves on this issue and now it's going to happen."

The $5.9 million design is $1.7 million less than a previous plan that the council rejected in March because of cost. The design by SERA Architects of Portland connects a new building to the historic Carnegie library with a glass walkway. The total space will be 23,800 square feet.

The council's vote Tuesday directed staff members to prepare the documentation necessary to put the general obligation bond on the November ballot. The council won't vote on the actual wording of the bond until it's had a chance to explore another bond it expects to put forward to voters for a new fire station.

Councilman Don Laws said he believes putting both general bond measures on the same ballot will ensure a good turnout.

"I see the firefighters and the Friends of the Library getting all the people out and we have a better chance of passing both," he said.

While the majority of the crowd in the council chambers was supportive of a new library, several people had concerns.

Ashland resident Russ Silbiger said the plan doesn't take into account the effects of increasing use of the Internet on library traffic, the Southern Oregon University library and status of a library that is only a branch office of the main library in Medford.

"Once again, this pushed the envelope," he said.

Vince Oredson said the council should consider building an entirely new library rather than add onto the Carnegie library.

"The existing Carnegie is a monument," Oredson said. "It's like trying to add onto the Taj Mahal."

But George Kramer, a local historic preservationist, said people need buildings and monuments from this time to complement those of our past.

"And it's important to keep uses like libraries downtown," he said.

Diane Schafer, a Friends of the Library member, pointed out that even Drain, in Douglas County, has a new library.

She said Ashlanders need a library where mildew doesn't ruin books. She noted that Ashland librarians answer 700 reference questions a week, and circulate 300,000 books a year.