(Boulder City Library) The Boulder City Library is revising its renovation plans, which will save almost $2 million.
(Boulder City Library) The revised renovation for the Boulder City Library would build out only a half of the basement rather than all of it, which was previously proposed.
Library Director Kim Diehm said the Library District Board of Trustees recently decided to move forward with another ballot question seeking voter approval to fund a smaller renovation after the previous one failed.
Originally the library was planning a $10.5 million renovation. The new one is approximately $8.6 million.
Diehm said the originally planned upgrades to the main floor would still be done, which will create a new entrance with a shorter walk to the front doors, more restrooms, study rooms and meeting rooms.
Diehm also said having more meeting rooms is still a priority.
“Meeting room use by the community is in constant high demand, and the library turns away several groups weekly due to the rooms already being used,” she said.
Diehm said the library has maxed out its space for new materials, and staffers have worked hard for the past five years to make room for new ones by getting rid of outdated or damaged items, multiple copies of items and older series.
To pay for the renovation, the library board is seeking general obligation bonds that are expected to raise property taxes for 21 years. A resident with a home whose taxable value is $200,000 would pay $63 more a year in taxes, or $5.25 a month, Diehm said.
The previous ballot proposal was estimated to cost owners of a home of that value approximately $84 more a year in taxes.