On Tuesday April 16, 2019, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors will consider the Friends of the Intermountain Libraries Inc. (FOIL)’s proposal for the County to purchase and renovate the Roper building on Main Street in Burney for an upgraded Burney Library as part of the Shasta County Library system.
The meeting will be held at in the County Supervisors hearing room at 1450 Court St. in Redding and is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 16. The meeting is open to the public. All citizens are welcome to speak before the Board. People who wish to address the Board can fill out an online form in advance or sign up 15 minutes before the meeting.
FOIL is requesting that the $400,000 in grant money that was set aside from the Hatchet Ridge Windmill fund in 2014 be released for the project. The Board of Supervisors will be hearing FOIL’s proposal as an action item.
If FOIL’s plan is approved the new library building will be almost twice as large. It will have private rooms for tutoring, study, counseling and consultations. There will be a special children’s corner and a meeting room for community meetings. There will be more computers with excellent broadband access. The library will be in a central location on Main Street above the flood plain with ample parking and improved air conditioning and heat. There will be improved services for all citizens of all ages in the Intermountain community and visitors to the area, including some services for veterans and people searching for employment. People will have access to the extensive databases and resources that a modern public library offers.
According to FOIL, the Roper Building is the only available commercial building in Burney and is affordable at $300,000. FOIL has worked diligently with the community to raise funds for the execution and completion of the project. Burney Rotary has granted $10,000 and Rotary International has granted and additional $15,000 dedicated to a Children’s Corner.
According to FOIL, Shasta Regional Community Foundation has also awarded $7500 for remodeling construction needs and the McConnell Foundation has awarded up to $100,000 should there be shortfalls in the project’s funding package.
Over 1500 residents have signed petitions to help the campaign and local children sent postcards in support.
FOIL has been working with several supportive organizations to develop and fine tune the plan. Kim Niemer, Redding Community Services Director, who oversees governance of the Shasta County Library System has been involved. So have members of the Shasta County Library Advisory Board, Shasta Library Foundation, and the Library Director for the Shasta Public Libraries.
Both the County and City of Redding have looked at the building repeatedly to determine what updates need to be made. If the $400,000 dedicated to this project is released, an escrow will be opened whereby the County will purchase the building and maintain it. Through a collaborative effort between the County, City of Redding, who is in charge of the Shasta Public Libraries system, and FOIL the building will be brought up to current ADA standards.
FOIL is encouraging people to contact members of the Board of Supervisors and to attend the meeting on April 16 to express their support.
FOIL president Pat Pell said, “This is what we’ve worked so hard towards for many years. We need the community’s support. We hope to fill the Chamber Hall during this meeting showing support. You may speak if you fill out the form, or just show your support with your presence.”
See also:
Kim Niemer explains FOIL action plan in meeting at Burney Lions Hall
Pit River Country 