2019-08-02 Library Expansion PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RESOLUTION
#2019-08-02
RESOLUTION ON LIBRARY EXPANSION IN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY
WHEREAS,since 1939,the Pittsylvania County Public Library("PCPL")has grown from a single building in the
Town of Chatham,to,in 2019,a system with branches in Brosville/Cascade,Chatham,Gretna,and Mt. Hermon; and
WHEREAS, since the 1970s the PCPL has also sought to establish a Library Branch in the Town of Hurt in the
Staunton River District;and
WHEREAS,in 2018,a group of interested citizens formed an ad hoc committee to explore the expansion of Library
services to under-served County areas,including the Banister,Dan River,and Staunton River Districts;and
WHEREAS, in July 2018, the PCPL and the ad hoc committee delivered a report, Expanding the Reach, to the
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors (the "Board") outlining their findings that new libraries were needed in the
Banister, Dan River, and Staunton River Districts, and that existing Library Branches in the Town of Gretna and the
Brosville/Cascade community merited expansion and increased hours of service;and
WHEREAS,in August 2018, the Board approved a Resolution calling for a Feasibility Study(the "2019 Study")
to explore the need for additional County Libraries, and established a Library Advisory Committee to provide support to
said Study;and
WHEREAS, in May 2019, the Board received the findings of the 2019 Study conducted by Enteros Design of
Richmond,Virginia,and endorsed by the Library Advisory Committee and PCPL Board of Trustees;and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Study indicated a high demand for additional access to Library services in the County,
including expansion of existing facilities and/or construction of up to three (3) new Library Branches, of 11,000-12,000
square feet each,in the Dan River, Staunton River,and Banister Districts,and the renovation of the Gretna Library Branch;
and
WHEREAS, expanding Library services to under-served County areas would support the transformation of the
County by addressing the increasing needs of the high technology, information-based economy, which demands greater
print and digital literacy and support for distance education and lifelong learning;
THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
(1) Values the long-term needs of County residents and the positive impact of new libraries in attracting new
residents and businesses to the County,as well as supporting existing residents and businesses;
(2) Endorses the findings of the 2019 Study;and
(3) To the extent financially allowed, supports including Library construction and funding needs in future
budgets,capital investment,and strategic planning documents.
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\41.11 J B.Davis,Chairman
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_ - id M. Smitherman,Clerk
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Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors