Aalfs library name for sale?
Councilman suggests selling naming rights to fund project
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- City Councilman Aaron Rochester suggested Wednesday that library trustees sell naming rights to Wilbur Aalfs Library to help foot a $1.6 million remodeling bill.
"Is there any consideration of having corporate sponsors -- say, having a furniture store provide some of the furniture or a computer store provide new computers?" he asked during the annual joint meeting of the City Council and trustees.
Trustees told the council they will give that proposal further consideration.
Aalfs was the retired chairman of the board of Aalfs Manufacturing Co. The library was named in his honor after the Aalfs Family Foundation made a major donation to renovate the former First Federal Savings and Loan Association building at Sixth and Pierce streets into the new library in 1990. Aalfs died in 1999.
Betsy Thompson, library director, unveiled architectural plans to update the city's main library in downtown Sioux City. She noted the public contributed $4 million in private funds to finance the $6.4 million renovation 18 years ago. The Gleeson Room is named after another longtime Sioux City family who donated money to the original project.
The trustees have placed $350,000 for the first phase of remodeling in the 2010 capital improvements program budget. A total of $200,000 would be raised through private donations and grants. The council will vote on that budget in March. In 2012, Thompson said another $1.25 million would be included in the CIP.
"This is our flagship library," Cathy Perley, trustee president, said. "We are committed to getting this work done even if it means pushing back work on Morningside" branch library.
In order to make the aisles between the stacks handicapped accessible, an architect has proposed those book shelves be placed at an angle. New carpeting, along with a computer upgrade is needed. The library has 16 computers available for public use. That number would be almost doubled to 30.
Plans call for relocating a service desk in the children's area on the main floor toward the center of the library so the staff can keep better track of children and other patrons.
"We are concerned about children, so security of them is a concern," Perley noted.
Rochester asked if the trustees have considered installing a camera security system. Members said cameras require that an employee watch the video screens, thus not being free to assist library patrons.
Mayor Mike Hobart said he would favor installing a camera system so the recording could be viewed in case police needed to review the video.
"Is there any consideration of having corporate sponsors -- say, having a furniture store provide some of the furniture or a computer store provide new computers?" he asked during the annual joint meeting of the City Council and trustees.
Trustees told the council they will give that proposal further consideration.
Aalfs was the retired chairman of the board of Aalfs Manufacturing Co. The library was named in his honor after the Aalfs Family Foundation made a major donation to renovate the former First Federal Savings and Loan Association building at Sixth and Pierce streets into the new library in 1990. Aalfs died in 1999.
Betsy Thompson, library director, unveiled architectural plans to update the city's main library in downtown Sioux City. She noted the public contributed $4 million in private funds to finance the $6.4 million renovation 18 years ago. The Gleeson Room is named after another longtime Sioux City family who donated money to the original project.
The trustees have placed $350,000 for the first phase of remodeling in the 2010 capital improvements program budget. A total of $200,000 would be raised through private donations and grants. The council will vote on that budget in March. In 2012, Thompson said another $1.25 million would be included in the CIP.
"This is our flagship library," Cathy Perley, trustee president, said. "We are committed to getting this work done even if it means pushing back work on Morningside" branch library.
In order to make the aisles between the stacks handicapped accessible, an architect has proposed those book shelves be placed at an angle. New carpeting, along with a computer upgrade is needed. The library has 16 computers available for public use. That number would be almost doubled to 30.
Plans call for relocating a service desk in the children's area on the main floor toward the center of the library so the staff can keep better track of children and other patrons.
"We are concerned about children, so security of them is a concern," Perley noted.
Rochester asked if the trustees have considered installing a camera security system. Members said cameras require that an employee watch the video screens, thus not being free to assist library patrons.
Mayor Mike Hobart said he would favor installing a camera system so the recording could be viewed in case police needed to review the video.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 11 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Lisa wrote on Oct 1, 2008 9:33 AM:
To Robert wrote on Sep 27, 2008 8:34 AM:
Robert wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:11 PM:
Ryan wrote on Sep 26, 2008 11:39 AM:
Dan wrote on Sep 25, 2008 2:46 PM:
Another screw job by the city to the good guys who donate $$.
Why not rename all the city streets, sell those naming rights. Pierce street will now be known as USBank Lane, Jackson will now be Meynards Blvd.
Come on people. "