Local library lease questions in La Grange

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.