Community Corner

A Few Frequently Asked Questions About the Rockville Public Library and its Expansion Project

The library supplied an informational handout.

The Rockville Public Library this week announced that a good portion of its fund-raising goals have been met for a $3 million project to renovate and expand the historic building.

At Monday's ceremony, library officials made available a handout featuring some frequently asked questions about the library and the capital campaign: 

When was the Rockville Public Library built and who provided the funding?

The library was built in 1893 and funding was provided by the Maxwell family, the city of Rockville and the town of Vernon.



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Who owns the building and the land?

The Rockville Public Library Inc.

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How is the library funded?

The library is funded by an endowment, the town of Vernon and private and public donations.

• • •

Does the town allocate funds to the library?

Yes, about $300,000 per year.

• • •

What is the Rockville Public Library's annual operating budget?

$800,000.

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Why is the library being renovated?

More space is required for the latest technology, the provision of services  based on a 2009 community survey, additional meeting and young adult space is needed and to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

• • •

What changes will be made the the building?

• ADA-compliant rest rooms.
• A new elevator.
• Additional meeting space.
• Young adult meeting space.
• An additional stack area.
• Increased Internet access.
• 10,000 new books.
• 4,000 new audio books, CDs and DVDs.
• four public computers for Internet access will be added to both the adult stacks and young adult area.
• Meeting room space will increase by 30 seats.

• • •

Is additional parking included in the plan?

The upper lot will be reconfigured to provide an additional 42 parking spaces, including three accessible spaces.

• • •

How Much has been raised for the $3 million project?

About $2.5 million, including a $1 million state grant.

• • •

How many visitors does the library get annually?

• 124,550 in 2009-10.
• 130,201 in 2010-11.

• • •

How many people have library cards?
 
There are currently 14,000 Rockville Public Library cardholders.

• • •

How many people use the computers?

A total of 9,593 accessed the Internet at the library in 2009-10. With three more computers in 2010-11, Internet users increased to 12,820. Also, many people come to the library to access the free wi-fi on their own laptops.

• • •

Will the library close during the renovations?

No. The stacks will be closed but as many books as possible will be temporarily moved to the reading room, which will remain open. Programs will continue at the building next door to the library. The children's library will remain open.

• • •

Why not sell the building and build elsewhere?

The library is a large historic building in downtown Rockville. The library, courthouses and Rockville General Hospital are the anchors of a soon-to-be revived village. If the library put the building up for sale, it is unlikely to sell and it would fall into disrepair. It is less-expensive to renovate than to purchase land, build and relocate the entire collection.


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