Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Library Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee raises concerns about underuse of public library space as county weighs relocation options; workforce development lease pressure noted
Summary
A committee member reported a library site visit and said parts of the public library appeared underused; other members and library representatives cautioned against repurposing library space now. Separately, staff reported a likely significant lease increase for workforce development space in South Ithaca.
A committee member reported a December visit to the Tompkins County Public Library and said that, while the facility is large and generally in good internal condition, use levels appeared low during weekday hours. "It's 72,000 square feet. That's a massive building. And it's there's not many people in it," the legislator said, adding that the library was busier on weekends when he saw about 32 people in the building.
Historic Ithaca and library representatives told the committee the library had previously been heavily used for programming, makerspace and collection growth and cautioned against moving county departments into current library space. A library representative said the library had been through a period of lower programming and a reduced collection but that partnerships and programming could restore activity. Library staff and the library board are reported to be open to improvements; staff also said the building façade and benches need exterior maintenance and that work is on the county’s schedule for this year.
Separately, Norma (county staff) informed the committee that county staff had been notified that the lease for the workforce development space in South Ithaca (the county’s Workforce Development location) is likely to rise significantly; negotiations were ongoing and staff said they would explore alternate locations if cost increases are confirmed. Committee members asked staff to consider other available county or leased spaces as they plan relocations for the Center of Government project.
Why it matters: Underused public facilities and rising private lease costs bear on the county’s options for temporary relocations and service co‑location; repurposing library space would affect public programming and collections and drew caution from library stakeholders.
Next steps: staff and the library board will continue discussions about the library’s programming and exterior maintenance schedule; administration will follow up on workforce development lease negotiations and report alternatives to the committee.
