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Building Project News and More!

“A Library Says A Lot About A Community”

The Dover Public Anchor Library Building Project:

The Proposal:

A 52,000 sq. ft. (est.) “Anchor” Dover Public Library building located adjacent to the Dover City Hall and US Post Office in the downtown historical district.
The facility is to be built at a cost of $18.2 million dollars (est.)

The Vision:

Together, the new “Anchor” Library could provide significant improvements in the following areas:

Be centrally located in the heart of the State Capital of Delaware, Kent County.
Be part of the revitalized downtown historical district
Large Children’s Department
Spacious Teen Zone
Adult Services Center
Adequate parking and access to transportation system
Meeting rooms for public and staff use
Technology Training Center/Classroom
Expanded collection of books, DVDs, recorded books, and music
Cyber Café
Gallery
Auditorium
Outdoor Performance Area

A New Library:

Would support greater developmental resources for our Central Delaware communities.

Would be able to play a greater role in the successful education of people of all ages.

Would provide expanded resources for Central Delaware’s business community.

Would be a regional destination point

Major Issues

Overcrowding
No quiet reading area and no study or tutorial rooms available
Collection space maximized
Inadequate technology infrastructure
Major ADA non-conformance areas
Inadequate parking

The Role of the Dover “Anchor” Public Library:

Compliments future Kent County-Based Regional and Community libraries north and south
Centrally located.
Accessible to transportation systems
Open seven days per week
Largest and strongest collection of library materials in terms of depth of all types.
Largest staff due to extended hours, extensive usage by the public, and the support role for the Regional and Community libraries
Greatest number of professional staff (librarians with a master’s degree from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association [ALA].
Ample training facilities and classes/programs for public and staff
Most meeting rooms and conference room space for public and staff usage
Providing evolving library services not available on the Regional and Community library level.

Economic Development Contribution

Early Literacy Services
Employment and Career Resources
Small Business Resources
Catalyst for the State Capital and Kent County
Community Events

Dover Public Library Chronology

1885: Established as a private subscription library by the Dover Century Club
1889: Library moved to new quarters above the old City Hall
1902: State law created a tax-supported public library
1903: Law changed and the library became a school district library
1961: Present site was chosen and library came under the control of Dover City Council

1986: Library expanded and entrance was moved from State Street to the current location
1993: Renovation of basement from a storage area to meeting rooms and a separate Children’s Department
2001: Voters turn down referendum bid to construct branch facility in Shutte Park
2002: Library celebrated its 100th anniversary of the opening of DE’s first tax-supported public library
2003: Children’s Department renovated
2004-2006: Public computers increase from eight to twenty-one
2004: Robert Rohlf Associates and Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle issue a recommended library facilities plan
2005: The Delaware Division of Libraries presents its Statewide Library Master Plan
2007-08: The Library initiates a new building citizen committee participation initiative

Steps Taken Thus Far:

Council endorsed parking lot (adjacent to City Hall) as preferred site.
Council endorsed Financial Plan.
Delaware Council on Libraries recommended the project as #1.
Dover Library seeks 50% state funding match over 3 fiscal years.
City Council created a Library Reserve Fund.
City staff discussing Post Office move with Post Office Officials.
Launching a Public Awareness Campaign.
Forming library building committee structure.
Discussing governance with Kent County.
Request for Qualifications process to secure Consultant/Architectural services initiated.
The Governor recommends FY’09 op./cap. budget includes $5 million project for the Dover Library Project.

Funding Plan

Government Cost Sharing:

State Funds.......................................$8,600,000
*Kent County....................................$3,700,000
**City of Dover..................................$3,700,000

Private Fundraising:

Friends of the Dover Public Library... $200,000
Foundations......................................$850,000
Grants...............................................$100,000
Private Foundations..........................$50,000
Sell Existing Library Building............ $1,000,000
Total Revenue..................................$18,200,000

* Assumes a greater role for Kent County in planning, design, and future operations of an "Anchor Library."

**City of Dover funding may consist of reserves, special assessments, and bonding.

Elected Officials/ Contact Points

Kent County

555 Bay Road

Dover, DE

Telephone: 302.744.2305

Fax: 302.736.2279

President 1st District P. Brooks Banta

pbbanta@aol.com

Vice President 3rd District: Allan F. Angel

angel3levycourt@aol.com

Commissioner 2nd District: Bradley S. Eaby

brad.eaby@co.kent.de.us

Commissioner 4th District: Eric L. Buckson

eric.buckson@co.kent.de.us

Commissioner 5th District: W.G. Edmanson, II

wgedmanson@co.kent.de.us

Commissioner 6th District: Harold K. Brode

harold.brode@co.kent.de.us

Commissioner at Large: Richard E. Ennis

dickennis@comcast.net

County Administrator: Michael J. Petit de Mange

302.744.2305

Legislative Hall Office

PO Box 1401

Dover, DE 19903

302.744.4318

State Representatives

District 28 (Smyrna)

William Carson

william.carson@state.de.us

District 29 (Dover-West)

Pamela J. Thornburg

pam.thornburg@state.de.us

District 30 (Harrington)

William R. Outten

bobby.outten@state.de.us

District 31 (Dover)

Nancy H. Wagner

nancy.wagner@state.de.us

District 32 (Dover-South)

Donna D. Stone

donna.stone@state.de.us

District 33 (Milford)

Robert E. Walls

robert.walls@state.de.us

District 34 (Dover-South)

Donald A. Blakey

donald.blakey@state.de.us

State Senators

District 14 (Clayton)

Bruce C. Ennis

bruce.ennis@state.de.us

District 15 (Kenton--Bond)

Nancy W. Cook

302.744.4318

District 16 (Dover-South)

Colin R.J. Bonini

senator-colin@prodigy.net

District 17 (Dover-North)

John C. Still, III

dfggroup@aol.com

District 18 (Milford)

F. Gary Simpson

gsimpson@udel.edu

District 21 (Laurel-Bond)

Robert L. Venables, Sr.

robert.venables@state.de.us

City of Dover

15 E. Lookerman Street

Dover, DE 19903

302.736.7000

Fax: 302.736.5068

Mayor: Carleton E. Carey, Sr.

ccarey@dover.de.us

Council President/Representative 1st District: Bevely C. Williams

tmcdowell-bcw@dover.de.us

Representrative 1st District: Kenneth L. Hogan

tmcdowell-klh@dover.de.us

Representative 2nd District: Eugene B. Ruane

generuane@verizon.net

Representative 2nd District: William McGlumphy

wpmcglumphy@comcast.net

Representative 3rd District: Timothy A. Slavin

timslavin@comcast.net

Representative 3rd District: James G. McGiffin, Jr.

jimmcgiffin@verizon.net

Representative 4th District: Reuben Salters

rpetersalt@aol.com

Representative 4th District: Sophia R. Russell

sophier712@verizon.net

Representative At Large: Thomas J. Leary

councilmanleary@comcast.net

The Public Participation Process

"A Collaboration"

Public Relations
Fund Raising
Building Design

Project Definition and Planning

A Library Serves Many Functions:

Offers use spaces
Presents a welcoming environment for customers and staff
Effectively uses space to support service priorities
Houses collections of materials in a variety of formats
Supports access to technology
Houses furnishings and equipment
Provides adequate work space
Offers meeting and gathering spaces
Provides easy access to the interior
Serves as a cultural and community connection point
Serves as a community icon

A 21ST CENTURY ANCHOR LIBRARY FOR THE

CITY OF DOVER AND KENT COUNTY IS IN THE WORKS!

We seek residents of the region that are interested in participating in planning for

and supporting the new "Anchor Library" Facility Project.

The volunteer members of this committee will be made up of civic-minded people with the goal of

creating a comprehensive building program. Elements of the program will include a

public relations/marketing campaign, a capital/fund raising campaign and a building design campaign.

Fill out the information below or call Committee Contacts if you are interested in becoming an integral part of this

new exciting chapter for the families of the City of Dover and Kent County.

Name: ___________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________

Telephone:______________________________________

E-Mail Address:__________________________________

Areas of Interest and Experience:____________________________

“A Library Says A Lot About A Community”

The Public Participation Process

The Committee Process:

General Meetings are held every 2 months. All Are Invited!

Call the Library Business Office for the schedule: 302.736.5025

Committee Contacts:

The Building Design Committee:

Jim Stewart dewey742home@comcast.net 302.736.6854

Public Relations Committee

N. C. Vasuki: chokkanna@comcast.net

Kay Sass-Dietz (City of Dover Public Relations) kdietzsass@dover.de.us 302.736.7003

Next meeting:

Fundraising Committee

Bob Zipp zippy183@comcast.net 302.335.1503

Next meeting:

Additional Contacts:

Library: 302.736.7030

Karen DeMarco: [Library Business Office] 302.736.5025 karen.demarco@lib.de.us

Joan Stover: joan.stover@lib.de.us

Sue Ray: sue.ray@lib.de.us

Wanda Nesbit: wanda.nesbit@lib.de.us

Audrey Avery: audrey.avery@lib.de.us

City of Dover:

Zach Carter: zcarter@dover.de.us
Tony DePrima: tdeprima@dover.de.us

Building Project Documents of Interest

The Statewide Library Services and Construction Infrastructure for Delaware Libraries

Prepared for The Delaware Division of Libraries. 2005 --Present

To learn more about what an "Anchor Library" is, check out the following link.

Link:

Statewide Master Plan for Library Services and Construction, February 2005

In December 2003 Robert H. Rohlf Associates in association with the architectural firm of Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. was selected to develop a plan for library facilities in Dover.

This is the plan.

Link:

Library Facilities Plan 2004