We appreciate the arrival of the Harvard Press each week, with its in-depth coverage of matters of importance to the town. It was with surprise, then, that we read the February 2 editorial “More Than We Bargained For” concerning the fiscal year 2008 operating budget for the public library soon to open at Old Bromfield.
The editorial unfortunately confuses the capital and operating budgets of the new library at Old Bromfield. In 2004, the library trustees promised the town that if voters approved $2.6 million, the remainder of the anticipated $7.2 million construction cost would be borne by state grants and private fund raising, and “and not one dollar more” would be sought from the town. The Library trustees have kept their promise to the town through their diligence and commitment, despite numerous financial challenges during design and construction.
The library seeks an operating budget increase for FY08. This increase was anticipated and documented by the town Finance Committee in 2004 at the time the voters approved construction funds, and it is not unwarranted. The current library is 7,800 square feet. The new library at Old Bromfield contains a 16,000-square-foot library, as well as 3,000 square feet of new community space—Volunteers Hall in Old Bromfield. Even with its greater size, the per-square-foot operating cost of the new library will be significantly less than the present one, owing to its thoughtful design and higher energy efficiency.
The present library has seen a steady increase in circulation over the past three years, with no increase in staff. Eighty-one percent of Harvard residents over the age of 7 have library cards in active status. With the opening of the new library, the library staff anticipates a 100 percent increase in attendance, since there will be room for patrons of all ages to come and find a place to sit and read, conduct research, use a computer, or attend a program or cultural event.
The Press editorial also suggested volunteers instead of staff could be used to fill functions at the new library. While volunteers play a critical role in library activities, and groups such as the Friends can and will assist with the new library wherever possible, the library must employ trained professional staff in order to effectively assist patrons and manage the library collections.
We encourage the Press to review the written record concerning the commitments made in 2004, as well as the facts surrounding the operating budget needs of this new community resource. Old Bromfield, the town’s most significant architectural building and an important town center landscape, has undergone a historic restoration and been brought to a new and exciting use through this project. The library at Old Bromfield will soon serve as a new venue for cultural activities, lectures, meetings, and events. It will be accessible to all generations of the Harvard community. It is worthy of our support.
Chris and Susan Frechette, Poor Farm Road
Co-presidents, Friends of the Harvard Public Library
