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Library annual report draws praise; resident objects to trustee appointment as council approves remodel plans
Summary
Library staff presented a busy year of programming and growth, the council approved plans for a donor-funded interior remodel (project LIB250001) with an estimated $939,000 construction budget, and a resident objected to the recently approved trustee appointment citing lack of "blue-collar" representation.
Marshalltown Public Library leaders presented an upbeat annual report and detailed a donor-funded interior remodel project while a resident objected to a recent trustee appointment.
Library Director Sarah Rosenlum told the Marshalltown City Council the remodel project for the library's southwest corner will reconfigure about 2,800 square feet to add five study/meeting rooms, a podcast room and a conference space that can hold up to 30 people. Architect Hannah Schultz (FE Design) said bids were due Dec. 2 with the council expected to award the work on Dec. 8 and substantial completion targeted for June 1. Rosenlum said the project "is being totally funded by the friends of the Marshalltown Public Library and all of our great donors." She also said Lennox has pledged a rooftop unit to replace a 17-year-old RTU.
During the annual report, Rosenlum and Youth Services Manager Joe Leaville highlighted roughly 110,000 visitors, a seed library that distributed more than 900 seed packets, widespread summer reading participation (about 860 sign-ups and 279 completions) and a rise in people experiencing homelessness using library space and services. Rosenlum noted a vendor and cataloging-software supplier had gone out of business, which may slow some acquisitions.
Separately, resident John Warden urged the council not to approve the consent agenda because, he said, it included an appointment of "Mr. Manis" to the library board. Warden argued "the board should be made up of a cross-section of the community and it is not now and will not be either with Mr. Manis," and asked the mayor to consider appointing other eligible applicants. The consent agenda vote earlier in the meeting passed with one recorded "no" vote (Council member Mitchell) and the rest "yes." The council did not reverse that appointment during the meeting.
The council opened and closed a public hearing on the remodel and then approved the plan, specification and contract-cost resolution for Project LIB250001 by roll call.
