Did April 9 Election Change Library Momentum to Move?

Two Geneva Library Board members who opposed the move of the library from James Street to a new campus at the former Cetron site won election April 9—but so did Geneva Library Board President Esther Barclay-Steel, who has been one of the catalysts and strongest proponents of a new campus.

So the question in the wake of the local election is whether there might be a change in the Library Board's philosophy, point of view or momentum.

The answer probably is no.

Although Steve Andersson voted against purchasing the Cetron property in February, 2011, he has by no means been an impediment to the process, as Barclay-Steel points out in the election-night interview presented here.

The other candidate to win election is Mark Adams, who has said quite clearly that he'd prefer the library stay where it is. Incumbent David Creighton, who was a strong proponent of the plan for a new facility, did not win re-election.

Based on previous voting patterns, the pro-move movement still holds a 5-2 majority on the seven-member board.

True too is that there's nothing imminent about the process. Library Board members have pointed out that a great deal of planning still has to be done, and a referendum proposal likely would have to be mounted and passed for the move to become reality.

It's a process that could take years, and it's not speeded up by today's real estate market.

In addition, as Barclay-Steel notes, the board would need to provide additional information to help educate the public about the advantages of moving the library campus.

Here are some of her thoughts shortly after the polls closed on election night, April 9, 2013.

Download the movie