$35,000 to move library books

NEW LONDON – The New London Common Council approved spending up to $35,000 to move all the library books and materials at the current New London Public Library location to the new home of the library, the former First State Bank buildings.
The council approved the expenditure when it met for a special meeting, Jan. 6. Ald. Charlene Magolski voted no. Ald. Dennis Herter was absent from the meeting.
The move would occur after March 1.
When the expenditure was discussed at the Capital Project and Equipment Committee meeting, held prior to the council meeting on Jan. 6, there was disagreement as to whether $35,000 was an excessive amount. Concern that the renovated building would become a “money pit” for the city was also expressed.
Ann Hunt, director of the New London Public Library, told the committee that during the planning for the new library, the planning committee anticipated having remaining funds available from the $400,000 contingency in the budget for the building renovation. But unforeseen complications with the elevator in the building and other construction change orders depleted the contingency fund.

Using city staff to help move the books to the new library location was explored, Hunt said.
“However, we were advised this would not be feasible,” Hunt said. “The use of volunteers was also discussed but due to the scope and physical demands of the move, this is not a viable or appropriate option.”
Hunt said she requested quotes from two professional moving companies. One quote was for $80,000 and the other was for $50,000.
She added that a $10,000 gift will be received from the Carnegie Foundation. New shelving will also be purchased for the children’s department at the library, which would reduce the moving estimate by $5,000. With the $10,000 gift and $5,000 reduction, the cost to move the library books, materials, and furniture to the new building would be $35,000.
Hunt said that it was not anticipated that the entire $400,000 in contingency would be spent to convert the former First State Bank building into the city’s new library.
“You renovate an old building, start tearing down the walls, you’re finding things,” said New London City Administrator Chad Hoerth.
Ald. Tim Roberts said he feels the committee has not been updated enough regarding the project.
“I’d like to know what we’re spending,” Roberts said. “It seems like everything is hush, hush. So, I would like to have a little bit more clarity, like more updates. It’s been months since you’ve been here.”
Hunt said the budget for the project was previously approved.
Hoerth added that the Library and Museum Board has not reported directly to the committee, but “all those expenditures were approved at the Library Museum Board meetings. And all of those minutes were in the council packets.”
“I just think $50,000 to move two blocks, a bunch of books, is excessive,” Roberts said.
Ald. BaLynda Croy said it isn’t just moving the books, the cost also includes putting the books back in the correct order.
Roberts said the librarians could put the books back in the correct order.
“With the amount of books there are to deal with, I think that it would probably take them a couple months to do that and double check it and verify it,” Croy said.
Committee Chairman John Hass said he also had concerns about costs.
“When you first started this project, we gave you $750,000 with the understanding that you’re going to come up with the rest of the money,” Hass said. “Now you’re already asking for something. When’s it going to end? Is it going to be a money pit for us?”
Hunts said more than $2 million was raised through fundraising efforts.
New London Finance Director Judy Radke told the committee that the library renovation project is currently under budget, but is approaching its budgeted financial number.