The library board expressed concerns during Tuesday night’s meeting over potentially partnering with the city to create a joint building.

Board president Kenny Massey said his concern is whether the city or the library would own the property.

“During the initial meetings with the city, the city was adamant that they would have to own the land and the building,” Massey said.

The building would likely be located on the empty land next to the public safety office, which is owned by the library.

“Losing control of that would not be beneficial to the library,” Massey said.

Treasurer Amy Jankowski said if the library doesn’t own the building, there could be potential censorship issues.

“I feel like that would just be something I would want to make sure is really addressed,” Jankowski said.

Massey said another concern is the issue of funding for the project. He said the library lacks the ability to generate extra funding.

“Other than continuing to raise the mill rate to the limit that we could, because other than that and grants, we’re pretty limited on what we can do,” he said.

Board member Tim Pringle said he’s concerned about using donor funds for a joint building, specifically if the library doesn’t own the property.

“I’m convinced that unless you have permission from every donor to use it on a building not owned by the library, you can’t use that money,” Pringle said.

Massey said it’s important to see if the library can even afford to collaborate with the city.

“There is going to be a financial impact on us to pay for attorney fees and research and whatever else it entails. So, if we would go down this path, the expenses could start fairly quickly. Are we financially prepared to pay for the next year?” he said.

Massey is also worried about how this project will fit into the other city projects like the STAR bond district and other infrastructure projects. 

“The city is going to have to explain how a project like this would fit into that master plan that they have,” Massey said. 

Jankowski said collaborating with the city will likely extend the timeline for a new library. 

“How urgently do we need a new building? Maybe that needs to be part of it,” Jankowski said. 

If the library doesn’t partner with the city, they will start campaigning for a new library in March with a November 2025 election for the bond issue. 

Massey said the board needs to decide whether they will continue discussing the possibility of a partnership, encouraging other board members to voice their thoughts.

Pringle said he’s against working with the city.

“When you team up with another entity or individual, their opinions or their ideas may not be in the best interest of the library’s,” Pringle said.

However, Pringle said he is open to having more conversations with the city before the board comes to a final decision.

“Though I am against collaboration, it never hurts to listen and to discuss. You can always make a decision later,” Pringle said.

Board member Eric Magette said he isn’t opposed to working with the city.

“I do share your concerns,” Magette said. “I think, where we’re at, we don’t lose anything by continuing the discussion for awhile.”

Magette said working with the city would be a better choice if it seems clear the bond issue won’t pass.

“I got the feeling from our discussions that trying to do a bond issue of this within the next year would not be in the best financial interest of the library,” Magette said. “People are nervous about the economy, people are nervous about money and that’s why I’m not a hard no on the city.”

Board member Mike Keltner said he’s worried about the city getting too much control over the library.

“I can see this turning into they’re in the driver’s seat and they get to dictate what’s going on,” Keltner said.

The board agreed to continue having discussions with the city about the potential collaboration. Massey said they will likely meet with the city again next month.

In other business, the board discussed trimming the library property’s bushes and trees.

Massey said he found a local landscaper offering to do the work for a proposal bid of $500. The landscaper will also cut down the dead tree on the west side of the building.

The board approved the bid. Massey said the work should be done shortly.

In other business, the board is working on uploading each meeting’s agenda and minutes to the library’s website.

Executive Director Carol Wohlford said she will start working with the Northeast Kansas Library System to update the website soon.

Reach reporter Ryn Drummond at [email protected].

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