Vote to dissolve library district

Dear Editor: I strongly encourage a “yes” vote on the Woodstock Library referendum.

The ballot question itself can be confusing.

“Yes” supports dissolving governance by a special district library board, which began in 1990. This board then will have a six-month transition period to work on a transfer, hopefully to the town.

A “no” vote keeps the special district in power, on its path to a library tear-down and a new $5 million to $7 million (estimated) building. Seven rooms for conferences and classes. Building size meant for almost double the town population. The projected cost does not include demolition and an estimated two-year library relocation. The library building is over an underground stream, in a floodplain. The library board did not note these environmental conditions when it sought new building proposals from architects. I wonder how this will affect construction costs, or feasibility.

At this point, I have more trust in the town to determine whether to renovate or rebuild. It did beautiful renovations of the Town Hall and the community center, each costing less than $2 million. The special district library board has not done mold remediation or improved air filtration. Instead, it pursues high-end, spectacular architectural designs. Ten-plus, hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on plans, with no result. If the library building is irredeemable, I trust the town to build in a way that is sensible, in touch with the needs of our townspeople and in tune with our local land/streetscape. I don’t want a large empty library that is an architect’s showpiece. I want a healthy library that meets the needs of its excellent staff and of its community.

Woodstock readers should vote on Nov. 6 and remember to turn their ballots over to vote on the library referendum.

Carol Anderson

Woodstock