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by Rose Hooper
and Carey King
Jackson County Board of Commissioners last month appointed a task
force to study the viability of a joint library between the county
and Southwestern Community College, which would be constructed
on the SCC campus.
The task force met Oct. 28 at the Justice Center to discuss proposed
bids from architects and library consultants, plan a community
survey and discuss its upcoming question-and-answer session.
Much of the group's work has already been completed by a previous
task force comprised of personnel from both SCC and Fontana Regional
Library, said Joe Rosanno, chairman.
The first group met for nine months and evaluated various concerns
associated with a joint venture, issuing their report in last
October year, he said.
"Although the report was favorable, the commissioners felt
there were unanswered questions and further study was needed.
Each commissioner appointed a member from his respective district
to serve on this new task force," said Rossano, a member
of Forest Hills' town council.
If the task force recommends that a joint library is feasible,
county commissioners would work with the town of Sylva, Build
Our Library Downtown, and others interested in having a library
downtown, he said.
Other members of the task force are John Bunn, Diane Schallock,
Don Williamson and Linda Young.
"Our charge is to determine whether or not this joint venture
is feasible and report to the commissioners," Rossano said.
The first issue on the task force's agenda was to discuss proposals
from consultants and architects that specialize in building libraries.
Rossano said he has received or is expecting bids from firms in
Charlotte, Atlanta and elsewhere.
While some at the meeting said outside advice would be helpful,
others said they felt such help unnecessary.
"I see someone who's making a proposal to do exactly what
we were appointed to do. We ought to know as much or more about
our community as those from outside," said task force member
Young.
Michael Cartwright, Jackson County librarian, disagreed.
"It's been quite an education to me to speak to an architect
who's been involved in four of these buildings already. I'm sure
we know the community better than someone from Florida, but I'm
tired of hearing 'I think' or 'I believe.' I want to know 'what
is,'" he said.
Cartwright also said hiring a consultant would be necessary to
conduct scientifically-valid community surveys.
Milt Wofford, a candidate for Sylva town board, said outside advice
may be necessary in order to plan for the future.
"Most buildings are built obsolete from the start. A consultant
could tell you what libraries are going to look like in the future.
With the Internet and so forth, libraries aren't what they used
to be," he said.
Agreeing that the task force had decided to "project into
the future 10 years," Young was among several still unconvinced
that a consultant's services would be necessary.
The task force agreed to table the decision until more proposals
are received.
The group also discussed plans for gathering input from community
members.
"Our task force feels that community involvement is a critical
part of its decision and we need to hear from the citizens of
Jackson County. Our meetings are open to the public," Rossano
said.
Two meetings a month are scheduled through March at the Justice
Center. While most meetings will take place from noon until 2
p.m. Tuesdays, the group's next meeting is set for noon Monday,
Nov. 10.
In addition, minutes from each meeting will be posted at the SCC
and Jackson County libraries and will also be available from task
force secretary Don Williamson, whose e-mail address is donjw@earthlink.net.
The group will hold an evening question-and-answer session at
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, in Courtroom Two at the Justice Center.
The session will not be a forum, but to "educate citizens
of Jackson County about what the task force is about," Rossano
said.
In order to prepare for the session, the task force is creating
a community survey that is expected to be available starting Monday,
Nov. 3, at public libraries and downtown business locations and
must be returned by Wednesday, Nov. 12. More information is expected
be available in next week's Herald.
Task force members welcome input by e-mail and will accept ideas
for survey questions until Friday, Oct. 31.
E-mail Rossano at redford67@aol.com; Schallock at m.schallock@mchsi.com;
or Young at linda.young35@verizon.net.
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