Do we want a joint high school/community library?

By Denny Sabo

In the spring and summer of 2007 the Flathead County Library Board floated an initial proposal to expand their library facilities by building a new county library next to the Bigfork Post Office. It was to be a significant upgrade in terms of size, resources, hours of operation, and quality over the existing library that is located in downtown Bigfork across from the Bigfork Playhouse. The cost of the library was to be in excess of $1M and it was to be located at the existing Potazney Little League field.

Community reaction to the proposal was clear. An expanded library facility in Bigfork would be advantageous to all of its citizens, but, at what cost and where? While a better library, open for longer hours, was very attractive to most people, some were not comfortable with a million dollar price tag and others did not like the proposed location. The proposal was withdrawn.

This occurred independent from the initial conceptual design of the new High School. As part of that design, the High School Library was being expanded and moved from its present 2nd floor location to a 1st floor near the proposed school entrance.

The idea came up of combining the library projects and offering a more efficient higher quality resource to the community. Contacts were made with librarians across Montana along with the Flathead County Library Board to see if the idea had merit. The County Library Board voted unanimously to approve the joint project!

Joint libraries are found in many small towns across Montana and there is an operating history to analyze, complete with long lists of pros and a shorter but no less serious set of issues to address.

The net result of the proposed Bigfork High School and Community Library is a facility that will be large enough to accommodate both community and High School needs. The new library will offer many benefits to the community:

? It will be open expanded hours for both students and citizens.

? Library staffing will be done cooperatively between county and school personnel.

? Dedicated parking will be available for library patrons

? Alleviate downtown parking congestion

? A community meeting room will be available

? Computer and internet access will be expanded

School library security would be emphasized and enhanced by having multiple personnel available during joint operation hours and by the use of security cameras and equipment. Access to adult material would be done by special order/access and controlled very closely.

The net result of this proposal is a much enhanced library resource for both the town of Bigfork and Bigfork High School. We, as citizens of the community, will get a Million Dollar Library for a little over $200K in additional expenditures at the high school. Efficiency like this should be applauded and approved.

Denny Sabo is a school board trustee.