LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — Liberty Lake officials are considering plans for a new library and community center as the city’s current facility struggles to meet growing demand from residents.
The Liberty Lake Library is busier than ever before, with overcrowding issues affecting daily operations and programming.
“The busiest, most crowded times, are with the children’s programs that are Monday through Thursday. The meeting room where those happen has a capacity of about 39. And typically they see 75 in there between the children and the parents,” said Lynn Atkins, who works at Liberty Lake Library.
Atkins says the facility is completely out of room for expansion.
“The collection, just in books alone, is at capacity now. The library can’t add any additional books,” Atkins said.
To help address these issues, the city is considering building a new, larger library. The proposed project would replace the existing Liberty Lake Library with a facility at the Town Square.
Three proposed designs show there would be more space on the shelves, along with additional meeting rooms. The project would cost between $12 million and $15 million.
However, not all residents support the library proposal. Some feel the designated plot of land would be better used for other amenities.
“We don’t have an aquatic center in Liberty Lake. And I think when you look at our amenities, we’ve got great golf courses, we’ve got a library. This aquatic idea would be a great addition,” said Jordan Urness, a Liberty Lake resident.
Some residents also worry the multimillion-dollar price tag will fall on taxpayers.
“Any time you’re looking at a build out of $15-20 million, the idea that the property taxes aren’t going to go up, I have a hard time believing,” Urness said.
The city says that how the library will be paid for has not been decided. City Administrator Mark McAvoy acknowledged that tax increases remain a possibility.
“There’s always a possibility that the elected body can vote to increase taxes, to provide a revenue stream to pay for the project. But that’s not a foregone conclusion. It’s one of many possibilities in this case,” McAvoy said.
The city added a proposition for the library plan to the November ballot. This non-binding vote will tell the city what the community really wants and whether or not it should proceed with the plan.
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