by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Borrow one, buy one.
The new Main Library is expected to open by late summer but there are also plans for a used bookstore in the building.
Legislation authorizing that operation was introduced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting and, in order to open in tandem with the Library, is expected to endure a fast tracked legislative cycle.
The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library Inc., a non-profit group founded in 1954, has been in negotiations with the City for the better part of a year in hopes that a downtown used bookstore could come to fruition.
According to a proposal prepared by FJPL president Jeanine Peterson, the group would get a 10-year agreement with the City to lease space on the Library’s first floor across from the previously announced cafe, with an option for two subsequent renewals. Annual payments to City for that 1,936 square foot space would be no more than $1.
“The ‘used bookstore’ model has been used by several Friends of the Library groups across our nation and has proven successful,” Peterson wrote in a letter to the City. “This year we grossed over $100,000 in our annual four-day Book Sale. Just think of what we can accomplish in a year-round venue.”
Peterson said all profits would be directed towards the library.
“The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library Inc. have reviewed the ‘used bookstore’ concept with the Jacksonville Public Library, the general contractor for the new library, the local architects and the supplier for book shelving and have gather(ed) cost information for the build-out of the book store,” she said. “The build-out cost will be approximately $235,000 and $50,000 for the furniture, fixtures and equipment necessary to run the Community Book Store.”
Those costs are expected to be partially covered by the City and at least some of the store’s inventory would come from from books permanently removed from the library’s shelves every year.
“Currently. the Jacksonville Public Library withdraws approximately 3-5 percent of its collection annually,” Peterson wrote. “By selling those books to the public, the ‘Store’ re-circulates a book that would have been removed from the public.”
Peterson added that staffing and operating costs would be covered by the FJPL.
“The Community Book Store will be staffed by one paid employee and volunteers from the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library,” she said. “Our plan combines donated inventory and volunteer labor that will minimize the cost of operating the Community Book Store. As such, more funds will be available to increase reading and literacy in our city through additional contributions to the Jacksonville Public Library.”
Awaiting more information the Council could vote on the necessary legislation by early May.