Geneva library candidates agree: Keep it downtown

When it comes to the future of the Geneva Library, four out of five candidates agree with each other: Whenever a new one is built, it should be downtown.

Library board President Esther Barclay, Vice President David Creighton, Steve Andersson and Patricia Johnson Lord all spoke at a recent community forum. Lance Marcinkus did not attend, and has not returned a call seeking comment. There are three 4-year terms on the library board up for election Tuesday.

The candidates were asked if they thought a new library was needed. The main portion of the library at 127 James St. opened in 1908.

"Yes, I absolutely agree we need a new facility," Barclay said. "It was built for a smaller town." She pointed out that the library district is bigger than the city of Geneva. Its size leads to limits on program enrollment. "That hurts when you have to turn children away from programs because you simply do not have the space to provide," she said.

But she thinks a new building is years off. "When will this happen? Not until we have the money. We will have to make do like everybody else," she said.

But she and the other candidates said they wanted to make sure the library at least secures land for the site in the meantime. The library board is interested in purchasing the old Sixth Street School site from Kane County, should the county decide to move the Regional Office of Education.

Andersson said he would like to explore other options besides a new building, such as buying lots adjacent to the library and adding on. To the east lies City Hall, to the north are Viking Office Supply store and an office building.

"We're not in a position in today's economy to go out and build a new building tomorrow," said Creighton, who leads a committee on space use at the library. Portions of the adult services section might be remodeled this year to make better use of the space.

The candidates were also asked about turning Coultrap Elementary School, at 1113 Peyton St., into a library, and if they would support having it studied to see if the building could handle the weight of the books. The school will be empty after this school year, and the Geneva school district hasn't decided what to do with it. It started life in 1923 as Geneva High School, and was enlarged over the years.

All said "no," saying residents made it clear, in a survey, that they want the library located downtown - which Coultrap isn't.

"Coultrap has not been offered (by the school district); secondly, it is not downtown; third, spending money when it doesn't fit that (criteria) would be bad money spent," Creighton said.

"We would probably spend too much money on the renovations. It would be a waste of money," Lord said. "And there is no parking over there."