Neuse Regional Library questions Town of La Grange's commitment to supporting library services
On Thursday, the Neuse Regional Library released the following statement regarding the La Grange Public Library:
“The Library is extremely disappointed in the Town of La Grange's decision to replace the La Grange Public Library's existing lease with a lease that includes a 60-day termination clause. This condition was not present in the Library's current lease, and its inclusion makes any lease, regardless of term, essentially a 60-day lease. The questions this decision raises regarding the Town's commitment to supporting library services in La Grange will indefinitely prevent the Library from using public taxpayer funding to make enhancements to the existing facilities or plan for the long term future. The La Grange Public Library is highly valued and well used by its community. It is the Library's hope that a long term resolution can be reached for the benefit of the community because access equals opportunity.”
On February 24, 2020, the La Grange Public Library posed a question on their Facebook account asking, “Can you imagine your community without a public library?” This social media post, and the La Grange Town Manager’s recommendation of a one-year lease on the building that houses the library, drew comments and concerns from some La Grange citizens at the Town Council meeting Monday night.
“There is not, nor have there been plans to close the La Grange County library,” said Mayor Bobby Wooten.
The tense portion of the meeting started with concerned citizens addressing the council in response to the rumors they’d heard that the library may close. Then Town Manager John Craft addressed the council to discuss his reasoning for making the one-year lease recommendation.
“It is our fiduciary duty to the citizens of La Grange to manage their tax dollars wisely,” said Craft.
He explained that it was his responsibility to provide relevant information to the council so they could make informed decisions. The state of the current building prompted Craft to believe that the town should invest in a shorter lease to allow the town options should an unplanned or unexpected event happen to the building.
“We are willing to compromise. We just want a three to five-year lease without the 60-day out clause,” said Melanie Morgan, Director of the Neuse Regional Library system.
Morgan shared the impacts of the library on the community and the growth of programs that are taking place. She explained that for the stability of the library in requesting grants and the reassurances to the staff of the library, they would feel more secure with a longer lease.
The council made a motion on a two-year lease with the 60-day out clause. The motion did not have enough votes to pass. The council then moved to vote on the original proposal made by the town manager of a one-year lease with a 60 day out clause. That motion passed.
