New library still possible

By MIKE RICHESON

Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork still may get a new library.

After a proposal to build a new library on Potoczny Field failed to make it past the Bigfork Parks Advisory Board and the County Park Board in April, the possibility of a new library seemed dim.

But then the Bigfork School Board ran an idea past the Flathead County Library Board: let's merge.

The new proposal would add an additional 1,200 square feet of space to Bigfork High School's library renovation project for a total of 5,000 square feet. Flathead County Library would then lease space to use as the new Bigfork branch.

"It's not our first choice, but it's the best option that we have right now," Flathead County Library director Kim Crowley said. " The school district has been great to work with, and that is a key ingredient to making joint libraries work."

Crowley called the proposal "exciting" and pointed to numerous examples of library mergers in smaller communities in Montana that have been successful, such as St. Ignatius and Drummond.

Flathead County's board voted to unanimously approve the proposal in concept.

"In concept" is still a vague term, as the idea is still in its infancy. The high school and library will have to jump numerous obstacles to successfully share space.

One example is censorship. County libraries have much different standards than high school libraries, and the high school has much tighter control over what can pop up on computer screens.

Another concern will be balancing the interaction between students and the public. The library will likely have a child reading area, and a conference room for community meetings.

"Our biggest concern is that we want adults comfortable walking in there, whether it's moms with toddlers or older adults who want to sit down and read the paper," Crowley said.

Other issues such as parking, security, staffing, etc., will also come in to play.

Bigfork High School's librarian Matt Porrovechio and the Flathead County Library have spent many hours researching how to bring two libraries together. So far, both sides see this as a positive and possible goal.

One benefit that superintendent Russ Kinzer touted at the June 14 Bigfork Steering Committee meeting was the reduced costs for taxpayers.

Costs for a new library building at Potoczny Field came in around $1.5 million. Adding the 1,200 square feet to the high school will cost around $200,000. That is just for the space, however, and doesn't include utilities and other facilities. Flathead County Library will likely purchase furniture, fixtures and will bring in a large inventory of reading materials.

Another potential benefit will be relieving parking in downtown Bigfork. The library is currently located on Electric Avenue next to the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center. The building is owned by the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork, and that group is considering alternative uses for that space.

Paul Mutascio, CFBB president, said he is impressed with how the school board and library have been addressing this.

"I feel that this is something that will benefit Bigfork, and we are real excited about this," Mutascio said. "This will keep the library close to downtown, relieve parking problems and open the existing library space to other options. It wasn't the first choice, but it's an excellent choice."

The idea for a library merger came up years ago at the suggestion of Russ Kinzer, but nothing came of it. When the initial library effort failed, school board trustee Dennis Sabo approached Kinzer and asked if there was a way for the district to help. Kinzer and Sabo met with Crowley and Mutascio and began exploring the idea.

According to Crowley, this isn't just a band-aid fix for a new library.

"These [mergers] typically last 10-15 years," she said. But the timeline will depend on community growth and use of the library more than a set deadline.

"We see it as a real positive," Kinzer said. "We save the taxpayers money, and there are some real advantages for students and citizens."