Consultant Urges $75-Million Rehab of
Norfolk Public Library
"Your buildings are rundown, out-of-date, and too small for present needs, much less for future needs," library building consultant Richard Waters warned members of the Norfolk (Va.) City Council October 27. His advice is the culmination of a three-year study commissioned by the Norfolk Public Library board.
Among Waters' proposals is the construction of a new, $43.5-million central library by 2003, the replacement of four branches with four regional sites, and the renovation of three other branches, the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot reported October 29. He also recommended hiking the library's projected budget of $4.4 million for next year by another $2.3 million to improve collections, upgrade technology, and increase staffing.
Noting that the school system has asked for $144 million to renovate buildings over the next five years, Councilman Randy Wright told the Virginian-Pilot October 28 of the library plan, "We'd love to do it, it's just finding the resources. The reality of the dollars start to sink in."
Posted November 2, 1998.
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