Combined libraries concept dropped

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Dec. 15, 2000 | 10:46 a.m.

After more than a year of consideration, North Las Vegas Library Board trustees have officially dropped the possibility of consolidating with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

In a brief meeting Thursday, board members voted unanimously to no longer pursue consolidating with the county district and to examine other options for expanding library services in the city.

Meanwhile Thursday, although it took no official action, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library Board of Trustees also agreed that consolidation did not appear to be the right fit.

Citing hurdles that could not be overcome, North Las Vegas Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, a library board trustee, said her main concern with consolidation was representation, and how many of the city's officials would have been allowed to sit on the board if the districts merged.

"This has been a long and arduous process," she said. "But I feel we have a fiduciary responsibility to look at all the issues to serve the citizens."

For years, the city has been struggling with options on how to build more libraries for the city. The city's 117,000 residents currently only have one library, located near City Hall. A bond issue failed in 1995.

Now that consolidation is null and void, the trustees will move forward with opening a storefront branch in the city's northwest until a new library can be built.

Library Director Anita Laruy was tearful after the meeting, rejoicing that the consolidation discussion is over. She fought consolidation, expressing concern over library employees whose jobs would be at risk if the districts merged.

According to data, North Las Vegas library employees, who are represented by Teamsters Local 14, earn higher wages and receive better benefits than their Las Vegas-Clark County counterparts.

"This has been extremely stressful for the staff," Laruy said.

"It's been a waiting game meeting after meeting. We're on our way now, in establishing a storefront."

In the coming weeks, Laruy will meet with owners of two possible sites for a 4,000-square foot storefront in the northwest. In mid-January, she will present the board with a contract to be considered.

It is estimated that it will cost approximately $200,000 a year to fund the storefront. Laruy says she already has funding available for the next two years.

The trustees will now look into the options of private funding, grants, or the possibility of floating a bond to build a new library.

Resident Mark Kincaid said he believes once a storefront is open citizens will want a full-blown library and will be more apt to approve a bond issue.