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Show Layton library options viewed . ,, HMWHW I - T milMllSiftM THE HERITAGE MUSEUM in Layton is one of the possible sites for a new extension ex-tension of the county library in Layton. Another being discussed is an abandoned grocery store. much as the South Branch in Bountiful. Boun-tiful. She predicts that even after a library is located in Layton many people will prefer the North Branch because it is closer to their homes than the downtown area. OMA WILCOX, Chairman of a Layton Citizens Library Committee Commit-tee that has functioned for about 27 years, claims that Layton City should move cautiously towards a library committment with the county. She notes that Layton residents resi-dents have library services-the same services as citizens in other Davis County communities. Mrs. Wilcox said two years ago the Library Citizens Committee met with the City Council and recommended re-commended that Layton stay out Mayor, reported at a city council work meeting that he, Jeanne Layton and Com. Saunders "went through Tom Winegar's old store with consideration of it as a library site. They were pleased with it." The Mayor recommended that the council authorize $1,000 ernest money payment to Tom Winegar for the purchase of the building with the following stipulations: " I . structural soundness; 2. Purchase price of $350,000 or appraisal whichever is less; 3. Approval by city Council." The council agreed to the ernest money payment. Mayor McKenzie says Tom's Store at 280 E. Gentile sits on acre. If the existing building were converted into a library, it would By DONETA GATHERUM LAYTON -- What is the best possible way to bring a quality library lib-rary to Layton? Should Layton build? Should they buy an existing building? Should Layton join the county system? Should one of Davis County's largest cities remain re-main independent? THESE ARE five complex questions ques-tions that the Layton City Council will be discussing in April. Pressure Press-ure to have a library in Layton has consistently been expressed by citizens even before the Layton City council voted to separate from the Davis County Library System in December, 1981. According to Lynn Wood, former for-mer Layton City Councilman who made the motion to withdraw from the County Library System, the fact that Layton had no library was the primary reason Layton left the system. "We (Layton) had a commitment com-mitment from the county commissioners commis-sioners that a special capital improvement im-provement assessment originally set up for the jail would be given to the county library system for a new central branch library in Layton. THE CITY set aside property on Hawthorne Street and Lancer Lane for the library. The land was to be a donation from the city to the county," Mr. Wood recalls. "Instead "In-stead of using the capital improvement improve-ment fund for a library, the county commissioners decided it was needed for a second story jail expansion ex-pansion program. That's when the Layton City Council decided the city would be better off out of the system. A library mill levy would be collected and the money would be placed in a special interest-bearing interest-bearing account labeled for library use only." As of February 1, 1986 there is in excess of $670,000 in the Layton library fund. The fund accumulates an estimated $237,000 each fiscal year. So far in the 1985-86 fiscal year, 93 percent of the anticipated library fund revenue has been collected col-lected so the actual amount received re-ceived before June I, 1986 will exceed ex-ceed the $237,000 estimate. MS. JEANNE Layton. Davis County Library head, explains the decision not to build a library in Layton. "The funding didn't come through. At the time we were making mak-ing plans for a new library, the county was in a period of recession. reces-sion. The plans were placed on the back burner by the county commissioners commis-sioners because they were cautious about spending in a period of slow growth." she said. Ms. Layton also explained the decision to build a library in Layton was made after a feasibility study determined downtown Layton was the best site for the next regional expansion of the county system. Skematic drawings were made, soil studies were conducted con-ducted and the county was pleased with the Hawthorne Street site. W HEN LAYTON withdrew from the county system, an agreement was made that allowed Layton "residents "re-sidents who desired to use the county libraries the right to hold cards at no charge. The county billed bil-led Layton and the money was taken from the city library fund collected col-lected through the mill levy. Bookmobile Book-mobile service was also paid for out of the mill levy money. Ms. Layton says many Layton residents have taken advantage of the free library cards. The number of Layton users has increased steadily over the past five years and today the North Branch Library Lib-rary in Clearfield is used almost as Layton Library Facts Layton pays the county $25 for each family library card or $12.50 for each single card issued to a Layton residence. The number of cards issued on a monthly basis from July 1985 to December 1985 are as follows: July 135 families 19 single August 90 families 19 single September 139 families 32 single October 191 families 30 single November 134 families 25 single December 88 families 14 single Kent Day, curator of the Layton Heritage Museum. Dr. Day stated in a letter to Mayor McKenzie that was endorsed by the Heritage Museum Board that preliminary architectural plans were prepared when the museum was constructed for a library-museum complex, constructed on an open, modular plan that permits expansion in any direction. A library-museum could also contain facilities for the performing per-forming arts, exhibits, public lectures lec-tures and other public meetings. "THE LOCATION in Layton Commons is attractive, accessible and away from commercial establishments," estab-lishments," the letter stated. "It is a way from but accessible to major traffic arteries. This is an important consideration for Senior Citizens and for the safety of school children." chil-dren." Mrs. Wilcox endorses the idea of having a library incorporated into the Layton Commons Park'area at either the museum location or the Hawthorne Street site. She said, "A library belongs in the city complex com-plex area. It ties together so nicely and the setting is conducive to reading, learning and asthetics especially for children." EVERYONE involved in the Layton library issue agrees in one main area. It is important to get a library in Layton. Mrs. Wilcox says, "The sooner the better as long as it is the best possible structure struc-ture in the best possible location." Mayor McKenzie says he hopes to develop two viable options, make a comparison and then choose what is best. MS. LAYTON is optomistic. "For all practical measures, the county and Layton are together and still looking at what is best for the community. It shouldn't be too long before a decision is made," she stated. Ms. Layton was cautious. cau-tious. "Getting a building is only one part of having a library. It will take about a year and a half to collect col-lect a minimum of 25.000 volumes and to hire additional, professional staff so that a library can be operational, opera-tional, she said. The cost for the collection would be about $300.(XH) not counting processing, cataloging catalog-ing and staff. "I'm willing to start working on the collection and (he hiring of additional staff as soon as the city and the county reach an agreement." Ms. Layton concluded, con-cluded, dmg i of the county system until one million mil-lion dollars was accumulated in the city library fund. The committee suggested that the county commissioners commis-sioners prepare for that time by setting set-ting aside a "sizeable amount of money also." This goal could be reached in two more years. THE LAYTON council agreed with the library committee and while relations with the county were friendly, the city made no committment to rejoin the system. "I haven't seen any preparations by the county to meet this one million mil-lion dollar goal." Mrs. Wilcox stated. "The state allows a library assessment of 3.75 mills. Davis County's library mill levy is about 2 mills. Layton should be very cautious cau-tious until the county adjusts the mill lew to aive more to libraries." ON FEB. 6. 1986 Richard McKenzie, newly-elected Layton be 4,000 square feet larger than the one the county had planned for the Hawthorne Street site. Although studies by the city and the county have not yet been completed. Mayor McKenzie says one advantage advan-tage to renovating the store would be cost. "It might be that we could save between $300,000 and $400,000 if the existing building was used. There would be an additional addi-tional bonus of 4,000 square feet." the Mayor stated. IF TOM'S store were converted into a library, Layton city would own the building and the property. The city would be responsible for the renovation and the facility would be leased on a long-term basis to the county. The county would stock the library and provide pro-vide the professional staff. Another possibility for a library in Layton was-explored by Dr. |