Funding received to plan new library
Posted 4/26/02

The Milaca Friends of the Library has received a $4000 planning grant from the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation, to fund the Milaca Community Library Building Program. The Library Building Program is a document that will be created by independent consulting librarian Ron McGriff, who has extensive experience in library planning, and who has worked throughout the state.

The cost of this planning project is $5000, and the City of Milaca has allocated $1000 to assist with the project.

The Library Building Program is the critical next step in the Friendsí effort to build our new library. It will provide detailed instructions for size, space and functional requirements for good library services, as well as an assessment of needs for community room space, and a realistic estimate of construction costs.

In working to construct a larger library, the Friends wish to assure that a new facility will serve not only the important cultural and educational functions of a good library, but will also serve many related community needs, and serve them well, said spokesperson Shelley Larson.

McGriff will meet with leaders of community service organizations to assist in planning for use of community space and library services, preventing duplication, and encouraging collaboration and coordination of existing resources.

"While there is already substantial community support for a new library, we anticipate even greater enthusiasm when we can give people a better picture of their future library," said Larson. "We are grateful to the Initiative Foundation for their assistance in furthering our shared mission of "improving the quality of life for residents, families and communities in Central Minnesota."