Geneva Library Referendum Approved: What's Next for New Library?

GENEVA, IL - The Geneva Public Library District squeaked by with a narrow win Tuesday night as voters within the library district approved a referendum that would allow the district to borrow $21.8 million in 20-year bonds to pay for a new library.

With all precincts reporting as of late Tuesday, 3,852 voters had cast "yes" votes and 3,763 had cast "no" votes to a tax increase that would make the new library possible, according to unofficial results posted on the Kane County Clerk's Office website late Tuesday.

"We would like to thank the voters of the Geneva Public Library District for sharing our vision for
the Geneva Public Library and for making this investment for the future,” said Library Board
President Robert Shiffler.

Moving forward, an architectural firm hired by the library district will begin work on the building’s design for the board to review and share with the public through community forums at a later date. The plans would then need approval by the Historic Preservation Commission, the Plan Commission, and Geneva City Council before moving forward.

If approved, construction on the new 57,000-square-foot library at 210 S. Sixth Street is expected to start next spring with tentative plans to open the new facility in the middle of 2019.

The successful referendum will mean the property taxes for the owner of a $300,000 home within the Geneva Public Library district could increase by $98.70 per year to help fund the library.

The new library is meant to "offer community members at all ages and stages of life a library with space for additional technology to learn new skills, expanded collections, more programs, on-site parking, drive-up convenience, and many other resources and services."

Library officials began two years ago assessing the condition and the upkeep needed at the current library at 217 James Street where they said they would be unable to expand and provide the services many patrons have been asking for. Ultimately, the library board decided it made the "most fiscal sense to build a new facility that would provide the space and amenities the library district needs," according to a statement from library officials.

"The library is landlocked at its current location, and unable to provide additional services and resources, along with study space, meeting space, function rooms – and on-site parking," according to a news release. "In addition, contemporary libraries meet community needs by offering resources like drive-up convenience, 3-D printing services, craft rooms, equipment checkout, early literacy play areas, and more. Those services cannot be provided at the current location."

Photo caption: Artist rendering of entrance to new library. Photo credit: Studio GC/Geneva Public Library website

More on Patch

• Artist Renderings of Proposed New Library in Geneva
• Geneva Public Library District Closes on Purchase of Sixth Street Property
• Board OKs Referendum Requesting $21.8 Million for New Library in Geneva