New Gloucester long range planning
Library Trustees' report:

New Gloucester--For the first time, all the committees, Departments, Selectmen and Town Manager gathered in for a Long-Range Planning workshop held in late November and they presented their visions for each body. The intent was to gather all the committee chairs and members, staff, and the Town Manager and SelectBoard and discuss the road ahead for New Gloucester. The idea was to unite the individual committee and Department needs and visions into a cohesive whole for New Gloucester's Planning purposes.

The discussion was substantive, lasting well over two hours, with presentations from all the committees and departments.

The Monument will present excerpts from the individual reports, which were captured in minutes and from our own notes.

The trustees envision that the library will continue to grow over the next five to fifteen years as the population and its demands for information and services increase. This is already happening and will be evidenced by the trustees' request within the next budget that the Assistant Librarian be given full-time status.

In five years' time the building itself will need painting, both inside and out. The building will also need ongoing repairs as the roof has leaked during the past two winters. Inside the building, computers will need to be replaced to keep pace with technological advances. The library has already taken one large step forward by installing wireless Internet capability. The library's photocopier is also five years old and will probably need to be replaced at some point within the next five years.

In ten years it is anticipated that the rugs will need to be replaced. This may need to be done sooner if the library continues to experience heavier usage. Once again some of the technology may also need to be replaced.
In fifteen years the library will probably need a new furnace and the painting done in year five will need to be redone. Technology will continue to be a concern.

In addition to these concerns there is also a question of the need to expand. While certainly a large step up space-wise from its previous home, the library is close to becoming cramped in some respects. Expansion would depend greatly on how many people take advantage of the library's services, but brings with it questions, such as:

1. How to expand? Add on or expand to the basement and face the need to outfit the basement to meet ADA requirements.
2. Hiring of a third staff person to help in the addition, especially if it is on a different floor.
3. Can the furnace handle a larger area, or will a new system be needed?
4. What technology will be needed in the new area for patron use and for security purposes?