Library hopes to add north-side center

The Springfield-Greene County Li-brary District announced its plans if the proposed operating levy increase Proposition L passes April 2.

If all goes as planned, Springfield's north side may have a new branch similar to the district's South Campbell Li-brary Center. The location for the new Kearney branch would be the former Heilig-Meyers Furniture building at 2535 North Kansas Expwy.

According to a library fact sheet, the purchase price for the 35,256-square-foot structure would be $1.35 million, and the library already has an option to buy the structure.

The fact sheet stated that the new north-side library will reflect the area's long history of transportation and have similar elements to those featured at the Library Center, including an auditorium, meeting and study rooms, a computer training lab, children and teen areas, extended hours and drive-up services.

The present Kearney branch at 9,600 square feet is smaller in size than Central High School's new library. Its new facility would be complete by 2004.

The 5-cent increase per $100 of as-sessed valuation on property within Greene County would generate $1.6 million per year. The library district's current budget is $7 million.

The effect on homeowners would be an increase of $9.50 per year on a $100,000 home.