Godeke Library Options Still Up for Discussion
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: November 19, 2012
The City Library Board held their regular meeting Monday and were joined by two City Council members, Todd Klein and Jim Gerlt.
The meeting quickly turned to discussing the future of the Godeke Branch library. Currently housed off of Slide Road and S. Loop 289, City Council will most likely vote at their next meeting about plans for the library.
"That location is currently is quite desirable, and I would like to keep it that way, and for me personally I am looking for alternative sites, it has been my biggest push," said Lynne Strickland, President of Friends of the Library. "Where else can we put a library in south Lubbock?"
Strickland also said she is happy with the current location. "There isn't another library in south Lubbock, and the library that is there has actually been very well received, and is very well used," said Strickland.
Currently, there's a building on 50th Street being looked at for a move, but many members of the Library Board, as well as Lubbock Friend's of the Library, don't feel that location will be adequate.
At the meeting Monday, alternate locations were brought up to the two council members in attendance, including 98th and Frankford, 78th and Wayne, as well as other city park that could be re-purposed.
"There's not going to be a silver bullet for anything that we're looking at, not a perfect location, or a perfect answer," said Councilman Todd Klein, "But can we get to a better case scenario? absolutely."
City Council members are pushing for a new site, partially because rent in the current location is more than $17,00 a month, plus other monthly fees that add up.
"I think we have a situation where perhaps we are paying more than we'd like to," said Councilman Todd Klein about the current lease for Godeke. "I think that's certainly my view and the view of other council members, can you improve on that, that's the question."
Both sides are also concerned over a a provision in the lease that began in September 2012. According to the lease, the library can be kicked out of their space with only a 90 days notice.
Currently, there is no back up plan if that happens.
"How do you have a contingency in case you have to evacuate?" said Councilman Klein. "And then beyond that, what are the other options we explore?"
A back-up plan is something Stickland wants to have set up, and soon.
"It's just like being prepared for a tornado or a hurricane, if you don't have a plan, then you're all over the place, trying to get and nobody really knows what the left hand is doing versus the right," said Strickland.
Council members Klein and Jim Gerlt said they expect the 50th Street location move to come to a vote at the November 29th council meeting.
The meeting quickly turned to discussing the future of the Godeke Branch library. Currently housed off of Slide Road and S. Loop 289, City Council will most likely vote at their next meeting about plans for the library.
"That location is currently is quite desirable, and I would like to keep it that way, and for me personally I am looking for alternative sites, it has been my biggest push," said Lynne Strickland, President of Friends of the Library. "Where else can we put a library in south Lubbock?"
Strickland also said she is happy with the current location. "There isn't another library in south Lubbock, and the library that is there has actually been very well received, and is very well used," said Strickland.
Currently, there's a building on 50th Street being looked at for a move, but many members of the Library Board, as well as Lubbock Friend's of the Library, don't feel that location will be adequate.
At the meeting Monday, alternate locations were brought up to the two council members in attendance, including 98th and Frankford, 78th and Wayne, as well as other city park that could be re-purposed.
"There's not going to be a silver bullet for anything that we're looking at, not a perfect location, or a perfect answer," said Councilman Todd Klein, "But can we get to a better case scenario? absolutely."
City Council members are pushing for a new site, partially because rent in the current location is more than $17,00 a month, plus other monthly fees that add up.
"I think we have a situation where perhaps we are paying more than we'd like to," said Councilman Todd Klein about the current lease for Godeke. "I think that's certainly my view and the view of other council members, can you improve on that, that's the question."
Both sides are also concerned over a a provision in the lease that began in September 2012. According to the lease, the library can be kicked out of their space with only a 90 days notice.
Currently, there is no back up plan if that happens.
"How do you have a contingency in case you have to evacuate?" said Councilman Klein. "And then beyond that, what are the other options we explore?"
A back-up plan is something Stickland wants to have set up, and soon.
"It's just like being prepared for a tornado or a hurricane, if you don't have a plan, then you're all over the place, trying to get and nobody really knows what the left hand is doing versus the right," said Strickland.
Council members Klein and Jim Gerlt said they expect the 50th Street location move to come to a vote at the November 29th council meeting.
