With these difficult and trying economic times, it is certainly understandable that people are anxious. That said, it is precisely during downturns in our economy when strong public libraries are needed the most. It is the public library that people go to when they can no longer afford to subscribe to their favourite magazines or newspapers, or to their Internet service. It is from the public library that people borrow rather than buy the latest bestseller, music CD or DVD. It is the public library that parents bring their children for free literacy-building programs. And it is the public library that people use to do a job search when they find themselves out of work or underemployed. Past downturns in the economy have proven that public libraries are used very heavily and we certainly expect this to be true for the Halton Hills Public Library. In fact, well before this current economic crisis, our usage has grown dramatically. Since 2001, circulation is up 50%, reference service is up 46%, children’s program attendance is up 86% and in-house Internet usage is up 50%. Like any business, we do have ebbs and flows in our activity. However, come any time between 10:00 a.m.-12 noon and 4:00-6:00 p.m., and you will see that we are well occupied serving children and young adults, and in the process, building literacy skills that will help them succeed in an increasingly competitive information age. We also know that with a new Georgetown Branch Library, with more reading, study and Internet station space, that people will be more inclined to stay and enjoy this space.

The request for a new Georgetown Branch Library has been a long standing one. It first appeared in the Town’s capital forecast in the early1990’s, and after a number of in-depth studies and reports, was approved in principle by Town Council in the fall of 2007. The Facility/Site Study done in 2005 recommended 33,000 ft2 of library space in Georgetown based on a projected Georgetown service area population of 46,325 by 2021. This study also pointed to the well documented deficiencies of the current Georgetown Branch Library, including very limited space for collection growth, inadequate space for users who wish to research or read in the library, lack of sufficient sound-proof space for children’s programming, extreme restrictions on storage and office space for staff, and dated, unappealing aesthetics. These deficiencies will be corrected in the renovated/expanded Georgetown Branch.

Although we recognize that these economic times are challenging, we do think that a well-stocked and appropriately sized public library will in fact be a tremendous asset to people who otherwise may not be able to afford many of the amenities that they have enjoyed in the past.

I am so pleased to announce that last night, we received Council approval for the Georgetown Branch Renovation/Expansion Project, and enhancements for the Cultural Centre! The cost for the Georgetown Branch Project will be $10.6M (with .6M already committed to architectural and other consultant fees). The only change in the cost from the original report presented to Council in September 2007 was an additional 5% due to the one year delay. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2010, with the new branch opening in the fall of 2011.

There were three other successes last night. First, after some considerable debate, Council approved the pursuit of LEED certification at the Silver level, which means that we will have a very 'green' building. Our utility costs will be considerably reduced, and our workplace will be healthier (less off-gassing from materials such as carpeting and paint). Based on some information recently received, Council directed staff to do a further study of a geothermal system for the facility, providing details on benefits, costs and possible funding sources.

The second success was Council's approval of a feasibility study for a capital campaign for the Library and Cultural Centre. The purpose of this study is to examine the community's capacity to give. The consultant's primary task will be to identify and meet with potential donors (both corporate and individuals). The consultant will also try to get a sense of the reputation of the Library and Cultural Centre in the community. Information about donors and general interest in donating to the Library and Cultural Centre projects will help the consultant establish a realistic target, as well as an action plan and costing for the fundraising process.

Finally, Council approved Holy Cross Church as a temporary site for the Georgetown Branch during the construction phase, which is estimated to be 15-18 months. Due to weight bearing load issues, the Library will be located on the lower floor of the Church. Use of the upper floor has yet to be confirmed.

We have our two Councillors on the Library Board to thank for their tremendous support: Councillor Moya Johnson and Councillor Bob Inglis. We also appreciated the support of Councillor Jon Hurst, who was a passionate advocate for LEED.

Next steps will include:

• communicating this wonderful news to the media, our 'neighbours', and to our community service partners
• reconvening the Georgetown Branch Planning Committee to oversee this project
• issuing "Requests for Proposals" for a project manager, and for a consultant to conduct the capital campaign feasibility study
• working with Enermodal Engineering on the geothermal study for presentation to Council
• meeting with the Town's Committee of Adjustment to seek approval on several variances
• finalizing the floor plans

It will continue to be a very busy but exciting time, as staff work towards building the best possible library for this community.

As per usual, any questions or concerns about this project can be directed to me via this blog or through my e-mail at diamantij@hhpl.on.ca

Next Monday, September 15th, the Budget Committee of Council will be reviewing the following four reports related to the Georgetown Branch Expansion/Renovation Project:

• Revised Costs and Timelines
• Temporary Site
• Alternate Funding
• LEED Assessment

The first report, written by the Treasurer, updates Council on the capital and operating costs associated with this project, and the revised time line in view of the project delay. The Treasurer also proposes a feasible funding strategy. The second report provides background about "Holy Cross Church" on Maple St. in Georgetown, which has emerged as the recommended temporary site for the Georgetown Branch during the estimated 15-18 month construction period. The third report on alternate funding outlines the steps involved in a major capital campaign, and possible grant opportunities. Finally, the LEED assessment report done by Enermodal Engineering, provides information about the kinds of sustainable features incorporated into the existing design, and additional features that could be added to achieve either a LEED basic or silver level of certification. The report also outlines the costs associated with the certification process. All reports can be found on this website under "Georgetown Branch Project"- "Council Reports".

We strongly encourage supporters of the Library to come to the Budget Committee meeting at which these critical reports will be discussed. It is our great hope that following this review, Council will provide direction on LEED certification, the need for a capital campaign, ultimately, grant pre-budget approval for the project.

The Budget Committee meeting starts at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

At 7:00 p.m., Frank Loreto, our Vice-Chair, will be presenting the highlights of the Library's 2007 Annual Report.

Please join us on this momentous day for the Halton Hills Public Library!

The big news this month was the presentation of the Treasurer’s report on financing options for the Georgetown Branch and Cultural Centre Project. The recommendation of the report was approved, as follows:

That staff report further with revised costs and timeframes in conjunction with the initial 2009 operating and capital budget meeting scheduled for August 11, 2008.

The Library’s senior management team will be working very hard over the next few months to research and write a number of reports in preparation for this August 11th Budget Committee meeting. First, we will be confirming our staffing complement for the new Georgetown Branch, and reviewing with the Treasurer. This information will then be incorporated into a report on Operating Costs. Added to this Operating Costs report, will be information on the anticipated utility and maintenance costs, with assistance from the Town's Facility Manager. And finally, this report will include a more precise costing on the temporary site. It appears as if the Holy Cross Church and Rectory will be our focus for this temporary site, which we expect to occupy from January 2010 to March 2011. Our architect, John Knox, is in the process of doing a review of the Holy Cross property to assess its suitability for public library service. His assessment report is due the end of June. In July, senior staff will be involved in negotiating the leasing arrangements with the Church, assuming that the site is suitable, and that any upgrades required can be reasonably accommodated.

Also available for the August 11th meeting, will be a detailed report on LEED from our architect, John Knox. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”. According to Wikipedia, The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED was created to accomplish the following:

-Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
-Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
-Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
-Stimulate green competition
-Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
-Transform the building market

Green Building Council members, representing every sector of the building industry, developed and continue to refine LEED. The rating system addresses six major areas:
-Sustainable sites
-Water efficiency
-Energy and atmosphere
-Materials and resources
-Indoor environmental quality
-Innovation and design process

Mr. Knox's report will outline the sustainable features to be automatically incorporated into the design and construction of this project and will list some recommended features that could be added, along with the benefits, and the estimated cost. Also provided will be a detailed description and approximate costing of the administrative process involved with LEED accreditation. This report is expected to demonstrate that an upfront investment in environmentally sustainable design does have a long-term pay-off both financially and in terms of a reduced carbon foot-print.

Beyond these reports on operating costs, and LEED, there will be a third report on other funding options available through large scale fundraising and government grants.

In their meeting on June 10th, Council recommended that the Library Board pursue fundraising to offset the capital costs. Terry Alyman (the Director of Recreation and Parks) and I will be preparing a report on what would be required for a major capital campaign. The usual first step is a feasibility report to determine the community’s capacity to give. The results of this report will enable the Town to set a reasonable fundraising target. Assuming there is some capacity, the Town would then need to engage a professional Fundraising Consultant to conduct the campaign, including producing the “ask” packages and making the approach to potential benefactors.

As mentioned, this report on other funding options would also explore the available grants for the project.

As always, please feel free to pass along any questions or concerns you may have about this project.

On Tuesday, June 10th, Ed DeSousa, the Director of Finance at the Town of Halton Hills will present a report to Council on the funding options for the Georgetown Branch Renovation/Expansion Project. All members of the public are encouraged to attend this meeting to get an update on this important project and possible next steps.

We were thrilled to hear that Council has approved two items which together are contributing to a more positive financial picture for the Georgetown Branch Renovation/Expansion Project: the allocation of a financing reimbursement in the amount of $1.29M to the Major Capital Project Allocation Reserve, and the establishment of a Special Infrastructure Levy. We greatly appreciate all that Town staff and Council are doing to develop a funding strategy that may move the timing of this important project forward. We understand that the Town will need to review the financial implications of the Fire Station tenders. We also realize that other factors need to be carefully considered before a decision can be made about the resumption of the Georgetown Branch Project. However, crossing our fingers that all stars will soon align, we hope that the delay of this project will be measured in months, and that staff and architects will be back at the planning table.