Dr. Jeff Craig, superintendent of West Aurora School District 129, Aurora mayor Richard Irvin, and John Savage, president of the Aurora Public Library Board, answer questions at a press conference at Aurora City Hall, Tuesday to discuss the future of the West Branch of the Aurora Public Library.
Their goal is to work together to provide more services and lower expenses by consolidating the West Branch. They’ve reached out to Aurora food pantries and the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) seeking interest in collaboration.
Savage said the West Branch is not optimal. It has approximately $1 Million in operating cost and one-third of the facility is not usable for public space. The facility receives approximately 10% of library patron usage. They seek to rent a 10,000 to 12,000 square-foot building on Galena Boulevard between Edgelawn Drive and Orchard Road for better visibility.
Savage stated they have looked, but have not identified a location they want to go to yet. He said they hope, with a lower cost manner, they can increase recently-cut hours at the West Branch. A video of the press conference can be seen at facebook.com/thevoice.us.
Jason Crane/The Voice