At the meeting on Dec. 8, “The Library Board looked ahead to next year, considering changes in both procedure and substance,” said John Ashenhurst.

On the procedural side, the board considered changing meeting times. For the moment they will still meet on the second Monday of the month at 9 am. They have changed the yearly review with the director to a quarterly review. This will provide more opportunity for communication between the board and the director. The board also discussed having each board member attend community meetings to share information about the library.

The changes in substance relate to the possible library addition. A special citizen advisory committee was convened to review the possibilities of a library addition and recommended last April to move forward with plans. A survey was generated to poll the library users as to what improvements/changes they desired. The most common request was to expand the collection.

The proposed addition will increase the size of the children’s section, provide a quiet reading room a separate computer room and 50 percent more shelving. Construction will be paid for by donations, but a levy will be necessary to provide money for operating costs.

In October the board decided to engage an architect, and through a competitive process Stolz Kau Architects were selected to develop an initial concept and floor plan. The board will make the plans public and look for feedback in February.

Pierrette Guimond will be leaving the Library Board after four years of service. Guimond’s term is over at the end of the year. She was in charge of the Library Book Sale for the last two years and served as the Finance Chair. Her position will be filled by a specially appointed selection committee. They are considering applicants and will pass their recommendation forward to the council. The council should appoint someone to the position early next year.

Guimond says she was “a conservative voice on the board and often disagreed with the other board members on spending.” She openly questioned the sustainability of recommended salary raises. She has been resistant to entertaining the idea of a library addition and going for a levy in these economic times. “What is best for Orcas Island? Is it sustainable to keep going bigger and where is the money to maintain it?” asked Guimond.

Anyone wanting more information on the addition can go to the library website at orcaslibrary.org and navigate to the orcaslibraryfuture.org link.