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Friends question $50,000 ask for Eagle library facilities study; propose scoping session first
Summary
Friends of the Eagle Public Library said they were surprised by a mayoral request that they contribute $50,000 toward a city facilities study and urged a no-cost scoping meeting to define the study's questions before committing funds. Trustees and staff agreed to gather data and revisit the decision after the election.
Friends of the Eagle Public Library pressed the board and staff for clearer information after the mayor asked the volunteer group to consider a $50,000 contribution toward a city-funded facilities/site study.
"We want to make sure when the mayor came and asked us for $50,000 for the study... our question really began with. We want to make sure that we understand what your vision is for the library because we don't wanna be funding something that's gonna go into a filing cabinet and never be used," said the Friends' president (speaking for the group).
Friends members said they have been saving donation proceeds for a capital project and do not want to spend a large sum on a study without guarantees about follow-through. One volunteer added, "So my concern is we throw $50,000 into the survey, and everybody says, what? ... And then we we sell our books, and we say, well, we put $50,000 into the survey, and they all go, so so what?"
Board trustees and library staff described the planned study as a professional site-and-feasibility process that the city has currently budgeted for fiscal year 2027 and said the city — not the board or Friends — would run the procurement. "The study is gonna happen no matter what," the Board Chair said, adding the board would provide input and advocacy but not hire consultants directly.
Several speakers proposed a middle path: hold the Friends' funds as seed money for a future capital campaign or first sponsor a no-cost scoping session to agree what questions the study should answer. The board and staff encouraged Friends to compile usage statistics and to coordinate with the city's foundation when considering a donation.
Next steps: the group agreed to pause a decision on any contribution, gather requested statistics and revisit the matter after the upcoming city election when council priorities and membership will be clearer.
