NLV board struggles to find ways to add libraries

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Oct. 6, 2000 | 10:24 a.m.

North Las Vegas Library Board members are grappling with how to provide more libraries, but so far there are no easy answers.

One thing is certain -- the city does not have the means to build a second library, estimated to cost $6 million to $10 million to build and staff.

At a library board meeting Thursday, Finance Director Vytas Vaitkus said that during the next five years there is "no way the city can afford (short of issuing a bond) a second branch library."

For more than an hour, the board discussed the possibility of opening a storefront library in the northwest part of the city, at Craig Road and Allen Lane. Library Director Anita Laruy said she had already secured a lease with the tenant and had a grant to help fund the first year of operations.

The board members postponed any decision on the storefront until January, but only after considerable debate.

Before their vote, residents filled the small conference room, many asking for the city to approve the much-needed service. They argued that those living in the northwest are now forced to drive 20 to 25 minutes to the lone library on Civic Center Drive, while others said they must drive outside the city's limits to get to a closer library.

Bob Johnson, a member of Teamsters Local 14, was one of many residents who asked the board to approve the storefront until a full-service library can be built.

"It's a great first step in ultimately having a full-fledged library in that area," he said. "Citizens of North Las Vegas deserve that library out there."

Resident Ann Barnson, on the other hand, advised the board to save the district's money for a time when it has the chance to build a complete library.

"I think it's fair to say we all want a library," she said. "But in my opinion, spending the money you have now on a storefront is doing the job halfway."

Mayor Michael Montandon, a library board trustee, said the district has no way to finance two out of the next four years to operate the storefront, which would cost approximately $200,000 per year. The cost for the storefront would come from the district's fund, which does not project enough revenue in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 to finance the cost.

"We all want a library," said Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, a board trustee. "A storefront is not a difficult concept to grasp. But we have to weigh the options -- are we willing to go for a temporary Band-Aid or a long-term cure?

Although the topic of consolidation was not on the agenda, the board and residents could not help but bring the matter into the equation. The city has been exploring the idea of consolidating with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District to help build more libraries in the city.

Councilwoman Shari Buck, another board trustee, said she was told by Las Vegas-Clark County board members that if the city approves a storefront it would throw a kink into the proposal to consolidate.

The Las Vegas district is compiling a five-year plan to examine the need for more library services. The plan is expected to be completed in December.

The trustees voted 4-3 to wait until that report is finished to decide if consolidation will benefit the city. The board will decide in January whether to approve the storefront.

Laruy said she will lose the lease agreement because there are other businesses waiting to occupy the property.

Councilman William Robinson, also a board trustee, said the city shouldn't be thinking about consolidation but instead should be operating in the now -- residents need services right now, he said.

"In this case, the horse does need to be put behind the cart," he said. "I'd rather us get a storefront than getting nothing all, through consolidation."