Just what we don't need, higher property taxes for a new library when we already have one.Most of the people I know hardly use the library anymore in this digital age. I heard on the radio the cost will be $20-21 million, with the average home paying an additional $200.00 more on their property taxes.The library we have now looks to be in very good shape. I will have to vote no on this referendum.

I live on the east side of Channahon in troy township, I don't need my taxes to go up for something that is inconvenient for me to use. I would like to see us annexed to Channahon township so at least their library is more accessible.

As the Library Director, I can let you know that our little library is very well used. The Library circulated about 177,000 books last year. We had 75,000 people enter our doors. and had 11,000 uses of our computers (with only 16 public computers), and held 409 programs (more than one a day) for 9,000 attendees. All this in a "hidden" location and with inadequate parking! The current building was built to serve a community 1/3rd of our size, and we have reached capacity. We're at the point where we have to remove one book from the collection to add a new book to the collection.

The physical building is lovely! But it's a 25 year old building that needed its furnaces replaced this year, and it doesn't have enough power outlets. Why are we worried about power outlets? Because of the new technology that has happened since 1985. We need more technology for our patrons, and for patron laptops.

The cost estimating has not been done for the proposed building yet; that's scheduled to be done by the end of December. However, if you look at your tax bill now, the Library is only 1.8% of your total tax bill (less than the Forest Preserve). We estimate that your cost will go up to about 6% of the total tax bill, which is still a great bargain.

We're a great library now, but we can be an even bigger asset to our community with a more modern building and adequate parking.

PS - did you know that you can check out ebooks through us with your Shorewood-Troy Library card?

Bob -

The new library is meant to be a little more centrally located in the area to better serve all of our residents. We do have a lot of virtual services that patrons can use, like access to ebooks and databases.

The long-term plan for the building site is also meant to be a central commercial site, not just an area for the library. We hope to be a destination site ourselves, but we will one day also be place that is surrounded by retail, so that you don't always visit only the library, but also to shop at a store, or eat at restaurant.

Sounds to me like the library is trying to get into the commercial aspect of making money, instead of being just a library for learning experiences, as was intended. Also ,if I'm reading ebooks, why do I need to go to a library? And if my portion of the library tax goes from $60.00 to $250.00, I see no bargain. Yes we need a library, but we already have one. We must be prudent when it comes to raising property taxes.

M & M, where did you get that we were going to be making money? All I was saying was the foot-traffic of our library and other businesses could complement each other. All our services will remain as they are - we don't intend to start charging for books (like a bookstore), or charging for CDS, which yes, people still listen too (like a music store), or DVDs (like Wal-Mart and Target). We're still going to be the source for life-long learning and entertainment.

All a larger building does is allow us to have *more* books, *more* DVDS, and more *CDs* for patrons. Also, the library does have 2 e-book subscription services, so we can be your source for digital entertainment too.

You should have more then enough money to put in new power outlets and replace your furnaces. Again, where is the bargain for the approximately $200.00 increase in our property tax bill for most people who don't use the library? As I have stated before we need and we have a library already.

It is a fact of life & simple reality that we need a new library building. This isn't a new concept. Population has grown, demands & needs have changed & increased. This is a community of all kinds of families, many, like my own, that are young families raising children that require new technologies & having a library that can house a proper selection of books & collections. Also, the potential of the towne center being a gathering place that the library could be a part of is a very exciting prospect. In a western suburb of Cleveland, where I herald from, they have a beautiful community area called Crocker Park that includes stores, restaurants, movies & gathering spaces. It is we'll loved & well used and if Shorewood creates even a small version of this, it would be a wonderful addition to have a library in the mix to visit as well. No one wants to pay more taxes but times & needs change and no one can stop that. Progress is progress. It is almost 2013....we are a community whose needs have changed & we must address it.

Isn't this a recession? They way people are interested in spending money, I just don't see it. I love the library. People just cannot afford increased property taxes now. I see a huge sense of entitlement. And people CAN stop increased property taxes. We elect officials to work for us. We don't work for them.

The Library is a well-loved space - we've consistently seen circulation rise 6-7% a year. A lot of this rise is due to the recession. We also help people who've lost their jobs by providing them with computers they don't have to pay to use, free internet, free MS Office software, resume books that they don't have to pay to checkout, and free computer classes to brush up their skills. We may all be technologically proficient, on this comment board, but not everyone is. Libraries help level the playing field for people. We open our doors to all; not just the rich and not just the poor. We serve a community of people from infants to elderly.

We use tax money wisely - the library has NOT asked for a tax increase since the district was formed in 1976. We also know that studies show that for each $1 put into a library, the library puts out $3-4 to its community.

We give job-seekers places to go. We provide technology to those who can't afford it. We help children maintain their reading skills over the summer. We provide a outreach to those who can't visit us. We give space for people to collaborate and work and meet.

Shorewood deserves a really good library, and the current building just isn't adequate for the community's needs. We're below state standards for collection size and access to technology.

It's not entitlement. It's reality the library needs more space.

Jennie you said " The library is a well loved space" yes by a minority of the people. There are are not many things that we as tax payers have control of, but saying no to this referendum is one that we do have control over to keep our property taxes down. Lets not play Santa Claus with our tax dollars. I also hope the people in charge of this continue to use transparency as to keep us informed of the costs.

I'm sure they'd love to see a new library, built right next to the village hall (ahem...Taj Mahal), and be nearly identical in every aspect. And why Mac products? They're pricier than PCs. More taxpayer money wasted. It's called bureaucracy, and people that want to create their own little kingdoms. I wouldn't call the location "hidden" - very easy to get to from Jefferson Street. Besides, 25 years is not old for a library...I could see if it were 50 or 100, but lets face the reality...people in Shorewood and Will County are already paying sky high property taxes that inevitably go up every year. The average family is at their max...no more! Wouldn't it be more cost effective to update the current building? The Joliet library downtown is well over 100 years old and has been updated countless times to keep pace with technology...I think what it all boils down to is some people just want a fancy new showpiece. It doesn't matter if the increase would be less than what the Forest Preserve is...bottom line, building a new facility amounts to taxes going up. No way could I vote yes on this.

For those people suggesting they expand their current facility...where should they expand to?? Have you even been to this library? There is no room for expansion.
For people questioning the purchase of Mac computers, do you not realize that most schools in the district have Macs for their students to learn Adobe programs on? It would be great for those students to have a place to do their homework for these classes since not everyone can have a Mac in their home. I love this library! It has more family programs than the village itself. The library is a great asset to our children! The Village seems to forget there are young families in the area when they do their "parks and recreation" programs so the library picks up the slack when they don't even have to.

For people complaining about paying taxes for something they don't use, do you use every forest preserve? Do you have children attending our schools? Do you call the fire department on a regular basis (enough to make it worth what you pay?)? These are all things we have to improve quality of life for the community.

I'd have to assume that people who think the current library can just expand, or is fine the way it is haven't spent much time in the current building. I suggest they try finding a parking space while a program is being offered. What with the expansive selection of maybe 20 spaces, it should be no problem. If they find a spot and go in to the library, maybe they will get lucky and be able to enter without being assaulted by the musty and mildew smells that emanate from the downstairs on a regular basis. Once in the library they can try to look for a DVD by crawling on their hands and knees because the shelves are packed from the floor up. While they are on the floor they can also look for a good space to add those new outlets. When they check out they should look past the person filling the DVD for them and take in the confined and crowded space the staff has to work in, all 30 feet of it. Or maybe just for fun they can go sit elbow to elbow with a perfect stranger and try to use a computer that is slow and outdated with no privacy. I have not been lucky enough to have to use the public computer and have my space and privacy invaded, but I know many who have no choice.
If you don't want the tax increase then vote no, but please don't pretend like there is an easier or cheaper fix. Some of us use the library, with or without rose colored glasses, value it and will vote yes knowing a bake sale won't cover the problems that the current library has.

CCW - It saddens me to see so many harsh comments. Perhaps you feel I view the library through rise colored glasses but do you honestly believe you will change anyone's opinion using that tone. Believe me, if I had the money I would give some willingly! We are in the lower income bracket which is why we do utilize the library so much.

If you feel so strongly, be proud and use your full names! Be heard!

Isn't there a moderator who can edit these comments? Such vulgarity is unnecessary!

Some comments have been deleted. Please refrain from making personal attacks and using vulgar language.

http://shorewood-il.patch.com/events/pink-zebra-open-houselaunch-party

Thanks for the extra publicity! Too bad it's a month too late :(