Another view on Villa Park library

In a recent letter, Mark McLeary, Villa Park library board trustee, explained his perspective on the Nov. 4 library referendums in Villa Park.

Specifically, the library board wants a new library at a cost of $25 million to the residents of Villa Park as well as an increase in their annual taxing rate so they can pay the additional expenses to operate the new library. Most homeowners in Villa Park will pay between $300 and $600 a year in additional taxes to pay for this if approved.

First of all, Addison recently completed building a library, and did it at a cost of $15 million. Furthermore, the Addison library is 6,000 square feet larger then what is proposed.

The library board cites the location of the library as part of the reason for this cost difference. They like to point out the land where the Addison library sits on was already owned by the village and didn't cost the Addison library anything. However, we also own the site the Villa Park Library currently occupies. So I have to ask, where is the additional $10 million going?

A large part of the proposed new space would be dedicated to things such as meeting rooms, drive through and lobby space. The library touts itself as a "Community Center." We already have a Community center in Villa Park.

We all want to have a good library in our town. But I believe we already have a good library that with some minor renovation, at a cost of perhaps $5 million or so, could serve our community well for many years to come.

In his letter, Mr. McCleary stated: "People are increasingly using their libraries to help relieve their economic burdens." Well, I have to ask: How are you relieving those economic burdens when you want to tax us $300 - $600 or more per year to relieve those burdens?

Please, vote no on the upcoming library referendums.

Joey De Tomaso

Villa Park