Fox River Valley Public Library District authorizes land purchase
On March 15, the Fox River Valley Public Library District board of trustees passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of an 11-acre parcel of land directly across Recreation Drive from the Randall Oaks Recreation Center for approximately $1.7 million.
The ordinance also approves payment for the property from either reserves or from the sale of bonds.
A public hearing regarding the purchase has been set for June 21 at 7 p.m. at the Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave. in East Dundee.
The contract calls for a six-month period of due diligence and closing in January 2017.
Board president Marge Skold said, "Securing this site is a fiscally sound, judicious decision which will serve taxpayers well for many years to come. It considers the long range needs of our residents and the large population on the west side of our district that does not have convenient access to a full service library and its services. It is a wonderful opportunity for the library to continue to be part of a dynamic campus with the park district's facilities, including the recreation center, park, zoo, golf complex, and ball fields on one side and the Dundee Middle School on the other."
After months of evaluating potential sites, including vacant retail buildings, the board concluded that this was the best choice. Skold continued, "It is closest to the center of the west side of our district where the population is growing; more importantly, it's exactly where the community wants it." In an open-ended survey question, nearly half the respondents named this location as the best spot for a west side library.
A 2008 study indicated strong community support for library facilities on both sides of the river. A small west side branch was opened in 2012 in space leased from the park district. Use has increased every year and surveys of residents show demand for more books and a broader range of services. A facility needs assessment completed in 2015 concluded that improvements are needed on both sides of the river - a full service facility to replace the branch and renovations to the Dundee Library incorporating the space previously occupied by township offices.
In the past six months, the library district has conducted nine public meetings and two online surveys gathering resident's input about proposed improvements. Among proposed improvements for residents of the district's east side are: an enlarged children's area; a computer training lab; a quiet reading room; more program rooms; a main entrance closer to parking; and possibly even a drive-up service window for returns and hold pickup.
The district serves residents of Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Gilberts, and parts of Algonquin, Elgin, and Barrington Hills. Visit www.frvpld.info.