“We’re not finding a number we’re comfortable with, and will be trying to get a professional opinion,” she said of the space the library would lease. “I want to firm up that number before we decide to proceed on this.”
The library system wants to fill the void in its service area, and the South Main Street location would be the first choice, said Deborah Preston, MidPointe Library finance director. She said there’s a shift in the southern portion of the library system’s service area, which includes Monroe and Liberty Twp.
“This is geographically ideal,” she said.
Library board of trustees member Melynda Cook said giving more than $1 million for renovation is too much.
“I’m not willing to give $1.3 million and in 10 years not have $1.3 million,” she said.
Board member Don Pelfrey said “for those numbers, you can build.”
The library has $500,000 — left to the library system as an estate gift — to be applied toward a branch in Monroe. If a library isn’t built, Carroll said that donation would simply sit in perpetuity.
While building new isn’t the ideal option, it’s not off the table, according to library officials.
MidPointe Library officials said there is interest in a Monroe branch. A recent survey in the Monroe area showed that 97 percent of the participants own a MidPointe Library card. More than 85 percent of those surveyed use the West Chester Twp. branch. There are more than 12,300 people in Monroe and almost 36,500 in Liberty Twp.
The three branches of MidPointe — which are in Middletown, West Chester Twp. and Trenton — serve more than 183,000 people.
The library has the support of the Monroe City Council to open a branch at the former IGA building.
Carroll approached City Council about five weeks ago informing the board of the library system’s interest in the former grocery store that closed on Oct. 31, 2009, and wanted council’s support. Council voted last week 6-0-1 on a resolution to support MidPointe’s efforts. Councilwoman Suzi Rubin abstained from the vote and discussion because of her involvement with the Monroe Lending Library.
City Manager Bill Brock said at the July 24 council meeting a library branch would be “one of the better uses” at the former IGA site.
About the Author
