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Library director says Carnegie Library tree removed for safety; $10,000 Carnegie grant will fund window shading
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Summary
Library director Corey Jones Burkle told the board that an arborist found significant rot and deemed a large Carnegie Library tree an imminent danger, prompting removal; the library will plant a city-approved replacement and use a $10,000 Carnegie Corporation grant to install ceramic window film to protect collections.
Corey Jones Burkle, the library director, told the Newberg Library Board that a large tree at the Carnegie Library was removed after arborist core samples showed rot and the tree was judged an imminent danger.
"They did a core sample, found that it was not healthy, and then also found that it was actually an imminent danger needed to come down right away," Burkle said, explaining the decision to remove the tree.
Burkle said the removal has had immediate effects on the building: "it's way hotter in the Carnegie library without the tree shading it," and increased sunlight was also bleaching book spines. To address heat and UV exposure, the library plans to install a ceramic window film using a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation. "The Carnegie Corporation gave us a $10,000 grant with no strings attached," Burkle said, adding that the film will reduce UV and help protect the collection.
The director said the library will work with the city to plant a replacement from the city's approved tree list and that planting logistics will follow city regulations. Burkle also described some community reaction to the removal and said he had posted images and explanations to social media to help inform patrons.
The board also discussed ancillary facility work prompted by the removal, including plans to add shading and to proceed with other planned building updates. Library Friends have committed funds to a range of shelving projects discussed separately by the board.
Next steps: the director will coordinate with city officials on the replacement tree and confirm timing for the ceramic film installation, which he said is expected later this month.
