Sides disagree on public value of library expansion

With a week left before Election Day, both supporters and critics of the Barrington Area Library's $34.3 million expansion referendum are discussing why they believe the majority of residents agree with their side.

Board members and citizen campaigners talk of realizing changes residents have been requesting, while a tax watch group believes the referendum is asking for too much from these residents.

Though the library itself cannot campaign for the referendum, board President Richard Ryan said the committee called Citizens for the Library Referendum was doing a fine job getting the message out.

The Nov. 4 referendum seeks to add 53,000 square feet to the library's existing 60,000 square feet as well as expanding parking. New amenities would include a children's pavilion, meeting rooms, quiet adult areas, outdoor programming space, a 24-hour service window and cafe.

Ryan said recent shocks to the economy naturally make the campaign harder, but he believes the library is still seeking a necessary improvement for a reasonable cost.

"It's only going up 1 percent of their total real estate tax," Ryan said of the effect on voters. "Our computer classes and meeting rooms are filling up."

The annual cost to the owner of a $500,000 house is expected to be $85 to $90 more in property taxes.

Faye Sinnott, co-chair of the referendum committee, said she believes people are understanding the big picture.

"For the cost of four large Malnati's pizzas or four hardcover books, you're investing in our children's future," Sinnott said.

She also pointed to environmentally friendly features like green roofs, rain gardens and "geo-exchange" wells to heat and cool the library as more cost efficient in the long run and as what residents were asking for during a 3-year study.

"They want their public buildings to be environmentally responsible," Sinnott said. "We will save 90 percent of the natural gas that we use and save on electricity too. The library would offer the opportunity for community people to come and see what they've done."

But Carol Schubert, president of the Barrington Enlightened Taxpayers Association, said her membership found these requests excessive in the current economic climate. She was skeptical that the changes will draw more young people to the library.

"I think they're asking way too much of taxpayers," Schubert said. "I think they have a lot of nerve asking for this now. I think they're just trying to build a Taj Mahal for themselves. From what I've seen at the library, there's a lot of wasted space they could put to better use."

Sinnott said she was disappointed BETA canceled a meeting with her group this month at which all the facts were to be laid out. She sees an investment in the library as an investment in the whole community.

"Libraries have for so long been a real bastion of our freedoms," Sinnott said. "For me they epitomize freedom of thought and freedom of access. They're a place where it doesn't matter what your income is, they can be your window to the world."