Lynn library could get tax boost

LYNN-The North Common Street library could benefit from a state Board of Library Commissioner?s push to increase tax dollars available to public libraries seeking to raise money for projects.Lynn?s library trustees want to combine state money and proceeds from the sale of three branch libraries with privately raised money to pay for the library?s expansion.The commissioner will ask state legislators this year to boost public library matching funds dollars from $250,000 to $1 million so that they can, in turn, increase the amount of state money provided to public libraries for every dollar raised by them from 5 cents to 50 cents.A library consultant urged the trustees in October 2006 to consider renovating and expanding the 106-year-old library to provide more space for library activities and to house the library?s growing book collection.Thomas Jewell?s yearlong study of the library concluded it needs to be fully handicap accessible and requires work on its fire alarm, security and electrical systems.The library also needs to boost its book borrowing figures by opening the stacks housing 148,000 books to the public. Most of the collection is off limits to readers who can request a specific title from library workers.Jewell said in 20 years the city?s growing population means the library needs to nearly double the 140 reading seats now available to patrons and make room for about 100,000 more books.The next step for the Board of Library Trustees is to hire an architect to review Jewell?s study and draw up plans for adding 6,000 square feet to the 34,000 square foot building.Chief Librarian Nadine Mitchell said the library?s best initial plan for expansion could involve adding an addition in the Franklin Street parking lot.The city has three potential sources for the money: The Library Commissioners; the $1.1 million raised from the sale of three branch libraries, and money raised by the library foundation.But it needs the commission?s help to pay for a detailed architectural plan mapping out the proposed addition.