Commissioners OK study on library move
<p>Lincoln County Librarian Rick Ball discusses a possible library move to the old Asa Wood School. Looking on from left are Administrator Bill Bischoff and commissioners Tony Berget, Ron Downey and Mike Cole.</p>
Lincoln County Librarian Rick Ball wants to move the Libby Branch Library to the former Asa Wood Elementary School, and he said the right thing Wednesday to get a nod from commissioners to study the move.
“No, I’m not asking for money,” Ball said. “I think we can get grants and private contributors to do this.”
With that zero-out-of-county-pocket statement, commissioners gave the green light Ball was seeking. On Monday, he will address the Libby District 4 School Board about his plans.
“We really can use the bigger space,” Ball said. “We’ve got six computers, and they are always busy. If I had 50, they’d probably be busy, too.”
Ball said the library at its current location adjacent to the courthouse has 9,700 square feet. The proposed move to the now-vacant Asa Wood Elementary School, could provide four times the space.
“Libraries are changing from when I was a kid,” Ball said. “Nowadays, a 5-year-old has more exposure to a computer than I ever did.”
Ball said libraries are rapidly becoming electronic imformation systems.
Eureka Commissioner Mike Cole praised Ball for his vision.
“Your concepts are in line with being feasible — obtaining technology with grants and private donations,” Cole said.
Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget cautiously gave Ball approval to study the move.
“Go ahead. Follow through and keep us informed,” Berget said.
Ball said he next would set his sights on the owners of the building, Libby District 4, whose board meets Monday.
“I think (moving the library) is a great idea,” Superintendent K.W. Maki said. “I think the library could be a hub for a community center in the building.”