Library plan needs time to develop

It takes a lot to rile a group of library supporters. If those supporters become riled about building a new library, there must be a flaw in the plan.

Wasilla City Council finds itself up against the Friends of Wasilla Public Library in considering a potential bond issue to build a new public library facility. The effort, which has preliminarily been estimated to cost about $20 million, is an encouraging sign the council is not willing to allow decreasing Mat-Su Borough funding dictate the future of Wasilla’s public library.

The problem is timing. Fearful the council may rush a bond question onto this November’s ballot, the Friends of Wasilla Public Library is asking city leaders to exercise caution. There are still too many questions surrounding a new facility, and the public hasn’t been involved in helping plan its new library. The public needs answers prior to putting a new facility to a vote. The questions include where will the library be built, how much will it cost, what amenities will be included and will the city pursue partnerships — perhaps with Valley Performing Arts — to create a cultural center that includes a library? Most importantly, what will be the plan to pay the increased operating expenses involved in running and maintaining a larger, more modern facility?

With state money drying up for local public libraries, municipalities like Palmer and Wasilla need to consider their options. Not having public libraries is not one of those options. That said, it would be a mistake to rush a question onto the ballot without a better plan in place. While the city council certainly shouldn’t kowtow to Friends of Wasilla Public Library or any other public service organization, it’s difficult to believe any library bond question would be successful without the group’s support.

A June 9 public hearing has been set to discuss a proposed bond issue and new public library. It’s a good start, and we encourage the council to use this input to begining a process of planning and gathering public input with a realistic goal of placing a question on a 2009 ballot.

If the question before council now is rushing the public into a “no” vote in November or cultivating a “yes” vote in 2009, it’s an easy read.