Statement from Huntley Area Public Library Director Virginia Maravilla regarding the November 4 Election

On November 4, 2008, voters of the Huntley Area Public Library District defeated a measure that would have provided a 33,000 square foot addition to the existing building and the funds to operate it.

The vote was approximately 10,684 against (59%) and 7426 for (41%) the question. This vote showed that more people understand the value of the library to themselves and their community than they did during the 2005 spring election when the proposal for an addition of 67,000 square feet was proposed.

In the year following that election, the library was remodeled to allow more shelving area for a growing collection, including conversion of the former program room into a children’s collection area. Unfortunately, that left the library with no space for programs, and the programs that the library still offers have to be presented off-site.

In the meantime the collection continues to grow, more and more people use the library, and the population continues to increase. The library that was built to serve 15,000 people now serves 50,000.

Defeat of this year’s referendum was attributed to the difficult economy, as many people felt they could not vote for even a modest increase averaging $5 per month.
In the weeks ahead, staff and board will examine options for the future as they continue to try to give the best service possible to their patrons with limited resources. Members of the board and staff would like to express their appreciation to all who have supported the library in the past and continue to do so.

Sincerely,

Virginia Maravilla
Director - Huntley Area Public Library