LIBRARY BOARD/KEMPER BUILDING
Interest appeared to be waning in the Knox County Public Library acquiring the former Kemper-CPA Building on Sixth Street. Library Board members had shown an initial interest in purchasing the property and using it as a storage facility for some of its historical documents. Library officials invited Knox County officials to tour the building back in August with the idea that the two entities could share the building for various uses.
Library Board President Thelma Morrison indicated that county officials have backed away from their early interest saying that there would be additional costs in making the building handicapped accessible. There are also some structural issues that needed to be addressed with the front porch and water leakage on the upper level of the building.
The library’s Maintenance Director, John Houchins said he had spoken with the owner of the building who lives in Terre Haute. He says although he’s still wanting to sell the building once Kemper moves out…he knows that could be a long process. He told Houchins that if the library was still interested, the owner would be willing to rent the building at reduced rate. The board took the matter under advisement.
LIBRARY BOARD CARNEGIE
Members of the Knox County Library Board settled on a mix of something old and something new when choosing furniture for the newly remodeled Carnegie wing of the Library.
The renovations reflect the original look of the library when it first open in 1919 and board members initially wanted furniture and fixtures to match that era. But Amy Blake, the Youth Librarian informed the board that today’s children like a more vibrant look with lots of color. There were also concerns raised about how the retro style furniture would with stand use by younger children.
In the end, the board compromised and went with a blend of a traditional and contemporary look. The board will purchase the new fixtures through Regal Furniture of Vincennes. The price is not to exceed 30-thousand dollars.
The furniture is under warranty for five years and includes protection for some of the leather and vinyl products. The board is expected to sign a contract with the company at its December meeting. It’s expected to take 6-to-8 weeks for the new furniture to be delivered.
LIBRARY BOARD MISC
Members of the Knox County Council presented the Library board Tuesday with a donation in the memory of Mildred Beery Wood. Wood is the mother of Councilman Jim Beery who also serves as Treasurer of the Library Board. She recently passed away at a Central Indiana nursing home. Beery says his mother was a teacher like himself who instilled a love for reading in her pupils. The money will be used to purchase books for the library’s youth department.
Board members also accepted a bid from Matt Hendrixson redo the front porch to the Fortnightly building. The estimated cost is 12,788 dollars. The price is contingent on if the footers to the porch are re-usable. If not, a change order would be necessary. The work also includes replacing the sidewalk in front of the steps to the building.
Library Maintenance Director John Houchins says new LED lights have been installed in the main library. He says they are currently filing the paperwork for a rebate from Duke Energy for the new energy efficient lighting. Houchins says the library can expect to recover 50 percent of the cost for installing the lights. Board members agreed to proceed with installing the LED lights in their other buildings at a cost of 94-hundred dollars. Houchins says they should receive a 38-percent rebate from Duke for the other buildings.