Thursday March 13, 2008

For Immediate Release:
Louisville Metro Council
Contact: Stephen Haag: 574-1204/645-1752
                Tony Hyatt: 574-4137/ 526-3622

By a unanimous vote, the Louisville Metro Council has approved $2,500,000 in funding for Library Expansion Planning and Design.

The funding will be available to the Library Advisory Commission for programming and architectural work of a plan to expand library services and make improvements to existing facilities and focus on underserved areas of the community, such as Newburg, Shively and Suburban Jefferson County.

“This Council understands the importance of improving our library system and is working in a bi-partisan way to completely fund the planning phase of the expansion project,” said Councilman Hal Heiner (R) 19 “We continue to work together on this plan for library expansion, and look forward to getting the planning and design phase of this project underway.”

A new funding plan for the Louisville Free Public Library System has been the focus of a Metro Council work group since December of last year.

“This world class community deserves a world class library system,” says Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh (D) 9. “This funding gets us started working in that direction while at the same time challenging the Library Foundation to raise $500,000 in private funds it is a great day for Louisville.”

“The funding tonight should be seen as our continued commitment to support the Mayor in his efforts to improve our libraries,” said Council President Jim King (D) 10. “We made available those funds we believe the Library Advisory Commission will need to program and design the construction or renovation of those library facilities that will be part of our comprehensive expansion plan.”

President King and Councilman Heiner made a presentation on behalf of the Library Expansion Work Group to the Council’s Parks, Libraries, Zoo and Cultural Affairs Committee on Monday, March 10, 2008. A copy of their PowerPoint Presentation is available online at http://www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil/.

Sponsors:
Hal Heiner (R) 19
Tina Ward-Pugh (D) 9
Jim King (D) 10