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Much more than a new building
How The New Library Can Help Local Businesses Grow
Can a modern, small-town library contribute to local economic growth? The evidence is clear; the answer is yes; and The Trustees of Tiverton Library Services have been invited to meet with Tiverton's newly formed Tiverton Economic and Community Growth Working Group on June 21 to discuss how the new library can help to make it happen.
Littleton, Colorado, was the first of many smaller towns across the nation who deployed "economic gardening," an economic development model that uses the library as a resource to support existing business and local entrepreneurs. Since Littleton began its program in 1988, it has doubled its job base and tripled its sales tax revenues, far outpacing other small towns throughout the Denver area and the nation.
Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development, a 2007 study commissioned by the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), "adds to the body of research pointing to a shift in the role of public libraries - from a passive, recreational reading and research institution to an active economic development agent, addressing such pressing urban issues as literacy, workforce training, small business vitality and community quality of life."
Research shows that modern, small-town, public libraries offer small businesses a knowledgeable staff; online and print resources to support business growth and workforce development; and the library building itself and its technological resources.
Economic gardening is a radical departure from traditional economic development efforts, which typically focus on bringing new business into a town with lures of tax incentives, subsidized land and town services. Instead of looking "outside" for new business, economic gardening focuses on helping local businesses grow, thereby broadening the tax base and creating new employment opportunities for local residents. In addition, towns that embrace economic gardening attract new enterprises that seek a community that actively supports the growth of local business.
More than expanding the size of the library building, the Trustees' ultimate goal is to expand library services to better meet Tiverton's educational, cultural and economic needs. Economic gardening is yet another example of the new services Tiverton residents can expect with a modern, well-equipped library.
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Special Election Approved By General Assembly
It's official. The Rhode island General Assembly approved a special election on November 8 which will put the decision to build a new library in the hands of Tiverton voters.
Voters will be asked to approve a $7 million construction bond, $4.1 million of which will be paid for by RI's Library Reimbursement program - limiting taxpayer contribution for the new library to less than $3 million for the $11.6 million dollar facility. The cost to the average property owner in Tiverton would be approximately $35 a year for the 20-year term of the bond.
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Show Your Support for The New Library
Are you a "silent supporter" of the Trustees' plan to bring a full range of modern library services to Tiverton? Now is the time to make your support public.
Whether you are an individual, family, organization or a business, you can announce your support for the new library by posting a photo or a logo of your organization or business on the Community Supports page - along with a brief statement about why you think it's time to expand library services in Tiverton. Businesses and organizations can also request a link from our website to theirs.
For more information about posting on the Community Supports page, please send an email to newlibrary@tivertonlibrary.org. Need a photo of yourself or your family? Let us know. We have a photographer on call.
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In The Community
The Trustees continued their speaker's program over the last month with presentations about the need for a new library and the expanded library services the community will enjoy after construction is complete.
Leroy Kendricks, a member of the New Library Building Committee, presented the case of the new library to very supportive members of The Tiverton Land Trust on May 12.
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Members of the Tiverton Land Trust listen to a presentation about the new library from Building Committee member Leroy Kendricks on May 12.
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On May 25, Trustee Lee Hoyer, who is also chairman of the New Library Building Committee, reviewed the plan for a new library with nearly 20 members of the Tiverton Democratic Committee who met at Sakonnet Bay Manor. Representative Jay Edwards and his wife were members of this very receptive audience.
Trustees Greg Jones and Jim Barrett met with about 15 members of the St. Christopher's Men's Club in the church hall on June 8. The Trustees made a similar presentation to the St. Christopher's Women's Club last month.
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Attendees of the Sandywoods Community presentation review literature and discuss plans for the new library with presenters, Phil Schuyler and Dick Bixby.
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On June 13, Lee Hoyer, Tiverton Library Foundation president Phil Schuyler and Dick Bixby, a member of the New Library Building Committee, introduced the Trustees' plan for the new library to the Sandywoods community, following a pot luck supper. More than 30 members attended. Sandywoods would be neighbors to the new library, slated for construction on land already purchased near the intersection on Stafford and Bulgarmarsh Roads.
To schedule a presentation for your organization - or for a group of your neighbors, please contact the Trustees at newlibrary@tivertonlibrary.org.
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