Community groups can learn more about $6 million available to improve neighborhood library services in Seattle from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, at Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 N.W. 66th St., and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Rainier Valley Cultural Center Auditorium, 3515 S. Alaska St.
Neighborhood groups have until Monday, May 1 to submit proposals for use of the Seattle Public Library's Opportunity Fund to the Library's Capital Program Office, Opportunity Fund Review, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, Wash. 98104. The Opportunity Fund was included in a $196.4 million 1998 library bond measure, "Libraries for All," to pay for new or unanticipated neighborhood library capital needs.
Capital needs are defined as long-term building improvements, such as a library expansion, a new library, or a bookmobile. The fund cannot be used for operating expenses, such as additional librarians or to expand book collections in existing libraries.
Proposal packets will be distributed at the workshops, at all Seattle Public Library locations, and at all Neighborhood Service Centers by Monday, April 3. They are available now on the Library's Web site at www.spl.org/lfa/financial/opportunityfund.html.
"When we developed the Libraries for All program, we felt it was important to include funds for neighborhoods that had not yet formulated their plans for libraries," said City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs. "We were thrilled voters approved our current building program, as well as the opportunity to build more libraries in the future." Seattle Public Library is in the process of implementing a capital program that includes a new central library, three new branches and expansions or renovations to 22 existing branches.
Criteria for the Opportunity Fund were established in the original Libraries for All ballot legislation. Proposals should meet some or all of the following criteria:
Proposals will be reviewed by Seattle Public Library staff and the Citizen's Implementation Review Panel (CIRP), a group of citizen volunteers charged with providing public input and feedback to the Seattle Public Library board of trustees about the implementation of the Libraries for All plan. The group also will evaluate maintenance and operation costs of the proposals. All cost estimates will be provided by Seattle Public Library staff.
The review panel will send recommendations to the Library Board, which will hold two public meetings before making its final recommendations to the City Council in late September. The Seattle City Council gives final approval.
The Opportunity Fund must be assigned to specific projects by Dec. 31, 2000.
(For more information, contact Douglas Bailey with the Library's Capital Program Office at 206-386-4173, or by e-mail at douglas.bailey@spl.org.)
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Content modified: 23 March 2000
12/30/2005
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