Libraries are an important foundation of any community. I love libraries; that’s why I’ve served on the Library Board for 23 years, working to make our library system the best it can be. Recent controversy about the proposed central library is a cause of great concern to me. I want to share my vision and options for libraries that help to build more livable, complete communities.

Imagine a community where you can take a short car ride to your local library, walk your kids to story time or bike to the library to grab a book. Community libraries connecting people through programs and resources. That’s my vision for libraries.

I also want to share what the library bond measure requires.

According to the library’s bond attorney the board needs to do what is stated in the Ballot Title, Question and Summary (Measure 9-139). The Bond Title says: “Bonds to Renovate, Upgrade, Construct and Equip Library Facilities.” The salient part of the Summary states:

“If approved, this measure would finance capital costs, including projects that:

Provide a new Central Library;

Provide a new Redmond Library expected to significantly increase square footage; and

Repair, modernize, and upgrade Sisters, Sunriver, La Pine, Downtown Bend and East Bend Libraries.”

Bond measures such as the library’s purposely do not state size or location of new facilities. This allows flexibility. That is why the size and location of the central library were not defined in the bond measure. Consequently, it doesn’t have to be a 100,000-square-foot facility on the north side outside Bend city limits.

The current proposed central library is about equal to three downtown Bend libraries and is only one option. There are other alternatives that fulfill all the requirements of the bond and may actually cost less.

For example, we could build a permanent east Bend library. It would be the central library housing central operations including admin, IT and materials handling, among others. The leased library in east Bend could then be incorporated into the central library saving continuous rent money. La Pine, Sunriver and Sisters are also growing. We could enlarge as well as remodel these libraries to provide more actual floor space for children’s discovery and community rooms.

With money saved, we could possibly build branch libraries in north and/or west Bend. Two or three libraries for the price of one — and they would be community libraries that are accessible, easy to use, and provide for a new central library.

These are just some alternatives that would meet all the requirements of the bond and could cost less than the current plan. Any monies saved could be used to prepay the interest on the bond and reduce property taxes.

It’s clear the community is divided over the board’s current plan. There are creative, workable alternatives that will serve the people of Deschutes County. We need civil discourse that leads us to a plan that reflects the needs of the community and can be supported unanimously by the board. The board needs a professional mediator to work with us to find common ground. We need to have in-depth discussion of the options and develop a plan that also includes fresh community input and possible revitalization of a community advisory panel.

The problems identified by the City Council give us the opportunity to re-examine the details of our plans moving forward. And they give us a chance to rethink and re-engage the community in each city before spending any more of the taxpayers money.

A new plan, developed by a unified board, can meet all the requirements of the bond and bring together the needs of the communities we serve. It will be hard work, but the effort is worth it.

Our communities and libraries deserve nothing less.

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