Barrington library must try again, soon

The Committee for the Library Referendum wishes to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to all the folks who worked so hard on the Barrington Area Library Referendum.

Thank you, for your support and your vision. The timing proved unfortunate, given the October market.

That said, there are true infrastructure deficiencies which must be addressed in a building and infrastructure largely constructed in 1978. Secondly, implementing proven green energy technologies is prudent. Our current lower energy costs are transitory and do not address the very real problem of reducing carbon emissions.

The library must come back for some kind of referendum. The library trustees delivered a plan that resolved the aging infrastructure issues, replacing the deficiencies of the meeting room with its tendency to roof leaks, poor acoustics and lighting with an expansion that would attract young people, a key constituency.

All agree that the timing for preparing the community for the referendum was short but unavoidable, with the extended intergovernmental negotiations that were required for water and electrical utility easements that crisscross the campus unseen - and impact costs.

The library had been prudent in its request, carefully mapping out cost/benefits and incorporating plans to correct current service deficiencies, honing to what the community lacked - as determined through usage patterns and research.

The dedicated staff at the library is too good at making things work, and compensates so well that the community is too unaware of its challenges. We do need a successful library referendum ... soon.

Faye Sinnott

co-chair, Citizens for the Library Referendum

Barrington