Plainfield Library Mulling Another Referendum for November Election

The Plainfield Public Library District may be down, but it’s not out yet.

With the Tuesday night failure of the referenda asking for an increase in building bonds and limiting rate, the library board mulled options for what’s next at its Wednesday night regular board meeting.

Despite the loss, Plainfield Library Board President Carl Gilmore said work will continue to “make sure this is the best library district it can possibly be.”

The board currently has two options. It can try to put another referendum on the November ballot or begin the process of the library’s Plan B, which entails a 20 percent cut in services and programs.

Library Board Trustee Jason Puetz suggested seriously looking into Plan B and implementing those steps.

“I don’t want to do Plan B, I didn’t want to do Plab B initially, but it’s probably time to start,” Puetz said.

The board has until Aug. 22 to pass an ordinance to put another referendum on the November ballot.

EveryLibrary Executive Director John Chrastka offered to help the board pro bono with its efforts to build a new library. He also suggested going out into the community and asking residents three questions: 1) Why did you hear the library referenda failed, 2) Why do you personally think it failed and 3) What can be done differently.

“You’ve got to reset the conversation in the community,” Chrastka said. “...It doesn’t happen with a survey on SurveyMonkey … it’s human to human to contact.”

During National Library Week in April, four open houses will provide residents with an opportunity to express their opinions and priorities for the library's next steps, Plainfield Public Library District Director Julie Milavec said.

• Monday, April 11, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 15, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to Noon

A final decision regarding the library’s next steps will come at a later date.