Chauncey Montgomery, director of the Community Library, told the City of Sunbury Council on Sept. 3 that the library will ask voters on Nov. 4 to approve a bond issue of up to $19 million to fund a roughly 20,000‑square‑foot expansion to its Burr Drive facility. Montgomery said the proposal would add meeting rooms, a 7,000‑square‑foot lower level, a children’s area more than 90% larger than the existing space, dedicated story‑time and tween areas, more quiet study rooms, and expanded programming space.

“We have been an institution of literacy and education in this community,” Montgomery said, describing the library as “not only an intellectual hub, but also a community hub.” He told council the library currently circulates about 300,000 items a year, draws roughly 26,000 program attendees annually and sees about 600 visitors per day — figures he said drove the decision to plan a larger facility. Montgomery said the bond would be on the Nov. 4 ballot for $19 million, with a maximum term of 30 years and an estimated levy of 0.63 mills (about $22 per $100,000 of assessed value, per the county auditor estimate cited).

The proposal follows a 2017, 2,000‑square‑foot addition that added meeting rooms, quiet study spaces and a drive‑through. Montgomery said the new design would shift the main entrance to the west, create a patio and deck tied to the community trail, increase shelf space for print collections (which he said still account for roughly 90% of circulation), and provide better accessibility for families and seniors. Renderings presented during the meeting show parking moved to the west and green space where existing parking sits.

Montgomery said construction would not be completed immediately: the project is conceptual and, if voters approve the bond, is projected to finish around 2028. He said the bond would cover construction only; the library’s operating levy (a separate five‑year levy that was approved in 2023 and went into effect in 2024) would continue to fund staffing and operations. Montgomery told council he expects to add three to five new staff positions to operate the expanded facility and said the library’s projections indicate the current operating levy can absorb that increased staffing cost.

Council members asked several operational questions. One asked whether meeting rooms would include a kitchen; Montgomery said the design team is considering at least one working kitchen for programming and events. Another asked whether the bond budget included funds for additional public computers; Montgomery said the bond amount covers cabling but not additional computers and added that expanding Wi‑Fi access is a higher priority because many patrons use personal devices. Montgomery also said the library has volunteers organizing a campaign in support of the ballot measure.

Montgomery noted this is the first time the library has requested construction funding since 1991. He described the request as a response to an 85% population increase in the library’s service area since 1994. He asked council for community support and said the library will continue public outreach in the run‑up to the election.

No formal council action on the bond measure was recorded at the Sept. 3 meeting; Montgomery presented the project and answered questions. The ballot language and levy estimate shown at the meeting indicated the auditor’s estimate of $22 per $100,000 of valuation and the levy at 0.63 mills; Montgomery called those figures estimates from the county auditor.