On November 16, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) approved the Library's sale of General Obligations to finance Phase II of SJCPL's Long Range Capital Improvements Plan, 2005-2009, in the amount not to exceed $15,330,000 for our branch library improvement project (see attached budget order)!

Many, many thanks to all of you who worked so hard for such a long time, from the time of the long range planning sessions in 2004, through the many meetings of the planning teams and our work with the consultants and architects, until now. You have all contributed to making this a successful endeavor with thorough and thoughtful planning and working with our communities and their organizations to provide the best possible public library services we can.

Over the next two years we will work hard to turn these plans into reality with new and revitalized branch library facilities and services that will continue to meet the needs and wants of our public far into the future, to be the very best possible public library we can be for our community. I will be sending out letters to every member of the public and every elected official who supported us and who enabled this to happen. In the meantime, please express our heartfelt thanks to each and every person who visits our facilities or asks you for help in our day-to-day work with the public.

Thank you, all St. Joseph County and South Bend City elected officials, for all the support you gave to the St. Joseph County Public Library, with your letters, your best wishes and words of encouragement. Thank you for your support!

Thank you also, Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave, and the Department of Local Government Finance staff, for patiently listening to us, reviewing all the many documents we sent, reading all the letters of public support, and allowing us time to meet and talk with you! Please thank Governor Mitch Daniels also for reading the letters sent to him and for placing such good, thoughtful, conscientious administrators on the Indiana Local Government Tax Control Board and in DLGF! We will do everything we can to merit your trust in us.

Thank you all!

Don Napoli

Library Board reviewed and approved one of three Schematic Designs prepared by James Childs Architects, Inc., for the new Roger B. Francis Branch Library. The new branch will have a Contemporary Colonial style. Site and Floor Plans were also presented for the proposed new branch. The Board also authorized the architect to begin the Design Development phase.

The Library Board reviewed the Feasibility Study Report prepared by James Childs Architects for the expansion & renovation or possible replacement of the Roger B. Francis Branch Library based on the Building Program approved by the Board on November 13, 2006. The Board approved the recommendations of the Feasibility Study Report and decided to replace the present branch with a new, much larger building. The Board authorized the architect to begin the Schematic Design phase for the new Francis Branch Library.

Main Library Recommendations Postponed to January 22nd

The Library Board also reviewed the Feasibility Study Report prepared by the architects, Engberg Anderson Design Partnership, Inc., in association with The Troyer Group, Inc., for expansion & renovation of the Main Library. Eight (8) different senarios were presented with their associated estimated costs. Because of the scope of the recommended changes and their potential costs, the Library Board tabled any consideration or approval of the Report's recommendations until the Board and the Library Administration had more time to consider the recommendations. This agenda item was re-scheduled for Library Board meeting scheduled on January 22, 2007.

SJCPL ranks among the Top Ten Public Libraries
in U.S. for 8th consecutive year!

We are proud to announce that SJCPL has been ranked the 6th Best Public Library in the U.S. according to the Hennen's 100 Best Public Libraries in the U.S. reported in American Libraries magazine, November 2006 issue. For the past three years SJCPL has ranked 4th but slipped a little this past year to 6th among 329 public libraries serving populations of 100,000 to 250,000. Still, this is the 8th consecutive year that SJCPL has ranked among the top 10 public libraries in its population category.

LCivic Technologies GIS Study Reports on Patron Usage:

Library Board reviewed two GIS studies of patron usage conducted by Civic Technologies, Inc. and approved a proposal for another patron usage study covering 2006-2007.

After a Public Hearing held on August 28, 2006, the Library Board adopted the Library Budget and Levy for 2007 on Monday, September 11, 2006. The budget now goes to the County and to the State of Indiana for additional public hearings and State approval.

Phase I of Library's Capital Improvements - New Lakeville Branch construction is out for bids.

The Library Board approved the Notice to Bidders and the Construction Drawings and Specifications for the new Lakeville Community Branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library. Bids will be due from potential construction contractors on October 17th by no later than 3:00 p.m. and the selection of a contractor is expected to be done by the Library Board at its monthly meeting on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 4:15 p.m. A ground-breaking ceremony at the site has been scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Mark your calendars! Bring a shovel! All are welcome.

Phase II of Library's Capital Improvements - A Third Architectural Services Contract is Approved!

Library Board approved the contract for architectural services for designing the new German Township Branch Library to Arkos Design, Inc. of Niles. Michigan. Contract negotiations for architectural services for designing the expansion of the Main Library are continuing with Engberg Anderson Design Partnership, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in association with The Troyer Group of Mishawaka, Indiana. This contract is expected to be finalized and considered for approval by the Library Board at the Board's October 30, 2006 meeting.

Library Board approved the contracts for architectural services for designing the Roger B. Francis Branch Expansion / Replacement and for designing the expansions and renovations of the library's four City branches (LaSalle, River Park, Tutt, and Western Branches. James Childs Architects, Inc. of South Bend was awarded the contract for the Francis Branch and Forum Architects, LLD of South Bend was awarded the contact for the four City branches.

Library Board approved some major revisions to the Library's Long Range Capital Improvements Plan for 2005 through 2009 updated, revised and approved as of July 31, 2006. Phase II of the Plan now includes the expansions and renovations of the four City neighborhood branch libraries, including the LaSalle, River Park, Viginia M. Tutt, and Western Branch Libraries, and a revised budget for Phases I and II.

Library Board hires a library building consultant, Robert H. Rohlf Associates, Inc. , to assist the library in developing the Building Program Statement for an expanded Main Library.

The Library Board awards SJCPL's "Platinum Library Card" to Georgina Harsha Louise Joshi and Joshua M. Dolezal, the 2nd and 3rd Recipients of this new library award.

Georgina Harsha Louise Joshi (posthumously) for the Gold Medal Award in the 2000 National Latin Exam;  and

Joshua M. Dolezal, first place winner in the USA National 2005 Fencing Competition (Group A2/B3 Youth Men’s Epee).

Library Board approval of these “Platinum Library Cards,” providing fine-free status for life (“Your library for life” award)

See our Ground Breaking and our Construction Progress photos for the new North Liberty Community Branch Library!