Library to delay construction in Sisters

Last updated 4/30/2002 at Noon

The Sisters Library will stay put until at least 2008.

In the wake of a long dispute with the City of Sisters, the Deschutes Public Library Board voted unanimously last month to delay construction of a new Sisters Branch Library.

According to a library district statement, "this decision enables the library to obtain the maximum value from the investment of $95,000 in private donations and $115,000 in ... grant funds that were used to construct the existing facility."

The library district has refused to pay rent to the city and wanted that $210,000 in "equity" rolled over into construction of a new library.

The City of Sisters signed for the original Library Services & Construction Act Grant and holds title to the property.

Earlier last month, the city council ended negotiations and made the library responsible for all maintenance, snow plowing, repairs and utilities.

The city is still charging rent, without taking action to collect it. The council informed the library district that the district should not expect to receive any "equity" from the building when the library moves out.

The library board indicated that "it was ready and willing to accelerate the construction schedule and dedicate up to $1 million towards the (new library) project if the city would agree to the transfer of the value of the grant and donations towards the new facility."

That appears unlikely.

Mayor Steve Wilson indicated that the library board's decision is fine with the city.

"They chose a good and legitimate way to proceed," Wilson said.

"It appears that we won't be able to reach any type of agreement on the fundamental issue of charging rent to cover maintenance costs."

Although construction has been delayed, site selection for a new Sisters Library will proceed.

Library director Michael Gaston said he will initiate a site study in early fall of 2002.

The Sisters Library offers books, CDs, audio books, videos, periodicals and computer access.

The facility is located on the corner of Main Avenue and Spruce Street.

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Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.