CRANBURY: Library presents plans to district

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http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2011/07/23/cranbury_press/news/doc4e28602d56834095404380.txt


CRANBURY — Even though the plans for a new public library in Cranbury are only in the beginning stages, the library’s board of trustees and foundation are saying now is the time to begin the dialogue on how the new library will be built.

The public library’s director, board of trustees president and the Cranbury Public Library Foundation presented the plans for the future library at the Cranbury Board of Education meeting Tuesday “to be completely transparent,” said Kirstie Venanzi, president of the library board.

Allan Kehrt, architect for the project and chairman of the Cranbury Planning Board, said the township’s new Master Plan, revised last December, designated a spot for the library across the parking lot from the school.

”This past year, we did fairly substantial revisions,” he said. “Part of that dealt with (the library) site.”

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Boders closed all their stores.

"Amazon.com customers are now purchasing more Kindle books than all print books -- hardcover and paperback -- combined."

iPad and Nook e-book readers are popular.

Eventually on-line, virtual libraries will replace physical libraries to save cost and offer 24/7 convenience.

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Cranbury library zealots won't let this go. The town doesn't need a new library, yet they continue to pursue.

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Explain why public libraries nation-wide are busier than every?

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I have no doubt they are. However, I think it's less a function of checking books out then other services. As such, does our town really need a stand alone library? We are even able to borrow books for our digital readers.

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Doesn't "Architect for the project and Planning Board Chairman" send any Red Flags to anyone? This library project is another example of a select few spending the money of the rest of us for another Ballfield fiasco. We will be saddled with the perpetual maintenace and other personnel costs forever. Remember "we just want a ballfield" that turned into $900,000.00.plus and has annual costs forever. Now we need a $90,000. irrigation well - now we need a scoreboard $20,000. and will eventually need night lighting and on and on and on! Why not just use the new 14 million dollar Plainsboro library? When will the "Nothing is too good for my child" types give us a break? This back door deal should be put to the voters. It is flat out wrong for a select few of the "we want it all club" to spend everyone elses hard earned $$$$$!

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The voters would be voting on the township allowing dedication of the land for the building as well as assumng the future upkeep liabilty for the taxpayers--- FOREVER. I don't believe that
the Library Board can just start building without the consent of The Committee. This entire process should go through the same approval process any other resident has had to go through even for the smallest improvement to their property. I do however have a real concern with the less than arms length association of many of the participants in this project.

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Did anyone on the schoolboard raise concerns about losing a $60,000 per year tennant? That is about the cost of a teacher's salary.

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In regards to the costs, the rental of 60,000 dollars or so is just for the added expense of having the library open longer hours, summer, having a boiler technician there for those hours...when the library moves out, there would no longer be those costs. IE. no loss for the school.

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