4 of 6 Candidates Say Geneva Library Should Stay Put

There hasn't been a referendum question asking voters whether they'd like the Geneva Public Library to move to a new campus at the former Cetron site, but in some ways, the April 9, 2013, election is exactly that.

Of the six candidates running for a Geneva Library Board seat, four have indicated they don't want the library to move from its present location on James Street to a new campus on the former Cetron property at Richards Street and State Street.

In February 2011, all board members but Steve Andersson voted in favor of purchasing the Cetron property.

The candidates say in many of their published profiles that the sale of the Cetron property has yet to be finalized—although the board did vote in March to finalize the contract.

A referendum would be necessary for it to become reality, but the concept has been endorsed by the present Library Board and the city of Geneva. In fact, the city passed a resolution in June of 2011 saying it will purchase the present library building if the library were to move.

Certainly, the library's potential move is not the only issue voters consider when making their decision about who to vote for on April 9, but it is the most controversial and high-profile.

The following are brief excerpts and links to an article in the Kane County Chronicle, candidate profiles in the Daily Herald and, for two candidates, statements made in their endorsement by the Geneva Historic Homes Association.

3 seats open; 4-year term

Esther Barclay-Steel

Incumbent, Library Board President

Wants to Move

Kane County Chronicle Article: "Without question, we need to do something about the physical side and provide for the community. The building we’re going to build will be very flexible. … Someday ... maybe all books will be electronic. But in the foreseeable future [books] are a huge part of what we do.”

Daily Herald Candidate Profile: "The most important issue I believe at this time is to acquire land in the downtown area for a future Library site."

Steven Andersson

Incumbent

Doesn't Want to Move

Kane County Chronicle Article: Andersson cast the lone “no” vote when the board approved buying the Cetron property. "I voted ‘no’ because it was premature. We’ll know more in five to 10 years.”

Endorsed by Geneva Historic Homes Association:

"Beyond the question of 'must' we move (due to collection size issues), is the question of 'do we want to move?' To that question my answer is also no. The library is, and will continue to be, a community gathering place and resource for the community regardless of the collection of physical books. As such, it is an important part of keeping our community vibrant. That being true, keeping it in its current location enhances our downtown community and the downtown’s walk-ability. It encourages our sense of community. People, while they visit the library, also visit our shops, and restaurants. This is critical to keeping our downtown historic areas vital and energetic."

Daily Herald Candidate Profile: "I feel that our current location is superior and creative minds can find a way to stay in our location (thus avoiding a tax referendum to build a new building)."

Jay Moffat

Challenger

Doesn't Want to Move

Kane County Chronicle Article: Moffat said he was not in favor of buying the Cetron property, but voters will decide whether a library will be built. “On the issue of space, my question is, is the issue truly a problem of space or is it an issue of the status quo that we have a space problem?”

Daily Herald Candidate Profile: No profile submitted.

Robert E. Mann

Challenger

Doesn't Want to Move

Kane County Chronicle Article: “The city of Geneva does not need to take any more property off the tax rolls. One option [for more space] would be to expand into that alleyway between the library and City Hall and build a two- or three-story high-rise right there.”

Daily Herald Candidate Profile: "The current Board's plan to purchase the Cetron property and then to hold a referendum to acquire funds to build a new library structure on the site is ill-advised for many reasons among which are the fact that available resources will be tied up and implementation of needed improvements will be delayed for an unacceptably long period. A new plan should be devised and implemented from among several much better alternatives."

David Creighton

Incumbent

Wants to Move

Kane County Chronicle Article: “I’ve got a passion for libraries, and I want to give back to the community. I have a passion for a vision of the future of the library, and I want to see us execute the long-term vision of what we want to do — build the library that Geneva deserves.”

Daily Herald Candidate Profile: "We are committed and focused on securing a downtown solution for the long-term, while in the short-term ensuring the library collection, services, staff and facility continue to meet and exceed patron expectations."

Mark Adams

Challenger

Doesn't Want to Move

Endorsed by Geneva Historic Homes Association:

 "Given the current economic environment, I would rather invest time and funds in improvements to the present building."

Kane County Chronicle Article:  “Everybody I talk to says they want the library to stay where it is."

Daily Herald Candidate Profile: "My most important goal is to keep the library where it helps sustain a walkable downtown Geneva."