Geneva Library Referendum: Follow Results Here

GENEVA, IL - Voters in the Geneva Library District went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve a referendum that would allow the district to borrow $21.8 million in 20-year bonds to pay for a new library at 210 S. Sixth Street.

With all precincts reporting as of late Tuesday, 3,852 voters had cast "yes" votes and 3,763 had cast "no" votes for 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. Tuesday's results were unofficial totals and the Kane County Clerk's Office is still expected to tally additional votes.

On Tuesday, Geneva Library District voters headed to the polls where they were asked to vote "yes" or "no" to the following proposition:

Shall the bonds of the Geneva Public Library District, Kane County, Illinois, in the amount of $21,800,000 be issued for the purpose of erecting a building to be used as a library on District-owned property, improving said property, including parking, and furnishing necessary equipment for said library building?

If approved, property taxes for the owner of a $300,000 home within the Geneva Public Library district would increase by $98.70 per year.

Library officials have said they would be unable to expand, and provide the services many patrons have been asking for, at the library's current location at 127 James Street.

“Our community has asked us to provide additional services and resources that we can’t offer in our current facility," said Board President Robert Shiffler. "These include a computer/technology lab, spaces to create and learn new skills like robotics, book publishing, cooking, and crafts, imaginative play space, parent networking opportunities, meeting, study and function rooms – and on-site parking."

In recent weeks, the library district shared preliminary renderings of the new library on its website. The library district hired Studio GC to create the schematic design for the new facility. The intent of schematic design is to provide a written narrative outlining building priorities, a rough site plan, basic floor plans and potential 3D modeling of building concepts, according to library officials.

The schematic design is meant to provide just enough details to obtain an accurate cost estimate, according to the library district website.

Here is a look at the proposed floor plan for the news library.

And here is a look at some of the artist renderings for the proposed library.

For a closer look at more artist renderings, visit the Geneva Public Library's new 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