Wake County proposes Southgate library replacement with stronger digital services after debate over standalone digital equity center

Wake County library staff presented timelines and options for 14 library projects funded by a voter-approved $142,000,000 bond and sought direction on a single “to be determined” (TBD) project: a stand-alone Digital Equity Center or a replacement of the Southgate Community Library using the bond’s prototype (a 12,000-square-foot facility).

"The bond voters approved a hundred and $42,000,000 and that was for a total of 14 different, bond funded projects," Matt Roylance briefed the board, noting the library system includes 23 branches and that the bond funds cover a mix of new buildings, an expansion and renovations across the system.

What staff said - System size and coverage: Wake County has 23 libraries (11 in Raleigh), and county planning uses a 10-minute drive-time goal. Roylance said current coverage is roughly 85% of residents; projects in the bond would raise coverage to about 89%. - Prototype and sizing: staff said the bond-funded new libraries will use an updated community-branch prototype of about 12,000 square feet (an up-size from prior ~8,000 sq. ft. community branches) to add enclosed programming space, teen areas and more public PCs. - Computers…