Yellowknife (Nov 29/06) - A representative of the Friends of the Library asked a city committee on Monday to allot $50,000 for another feasibility study on building a new, stand-alone library.

Tanya Kruger said the study should take place soon, and told the committee the study would cost the city around $50,000.

Councillor Bob Brooks said two library feasibility studies were done in 2001.

"What is the difference between this study and the ones done a few years ago?" he asked.

Kruger said the 2001 studies simply recommended a new library building. A new study would determine what type of building would be needed. She said the new study would also go into more detail on where the library could be built and how it would look.

When Brooks asked why Kruger was suggesting a feasibility study and not a plan for a new library, she said, "Then perhaps council needs to make a decision on a new library."

The decision on whether to build a new library or renovate the existing one is a key one for council, who must decide before the 2007 draft budget is finalized in December.

The draft budget, as it stands now, has $451,000 in 2007 and $123,000 in 2008 allotted for renovations to the existing library on the second floor of Centre Square Mall. The draft also has $935,000 allotted to a plan to build a new library within the proposed Somba K'e Civic Plaza.

Councillor Kevin Kennedy asked Kruger what should be done with the money set aside for renovating the old library.

"I don't think that all the money should go to the renovations, it's not all needed," Kruger said.

She suggested determining the exact amount needed for the renovations of the existing library, and putting the remainder of the money into the feasibility study and a future library.

Both Mayor Gord Van Tighem and City administrator Max Hall agreed that research should be done to determine what renovations are needed to keep the existing library functional while its future is decided.

Hall agreed that a needs assessment for a stand-alone library should be considered.

Council invited Kruger and the Friends of the Library to make a presentation at the Dec. 4 budget meeting.

"We can do that," said Kruger.