The Town was contacted by Charleston County staff regarding the future of the James Island Library Branch on Camp Road after 2017. The proposal from Charleston County was for them to lease the existing James Island Library branch to the Town of James Island for $1 per year while keeping it part of the County Library system. I understand that part of the proposal was for approximately $1.7 million of the funds from the bond issue approved in last November's referendum to be used to repair and upgrade the building.
Unfortunately, the condition was that the Town cover the annual operating costs for the branch which currently is more than $500,000. This is more than we can possibly afford. It would use up nearly 1/3 of the Town's operating revenues.
I discussed the matter with various members of Council. There is not a majority who will support more than a minimal annual contribution. Personally, this would be no more than $5,000, which is merely a token contribution. For one reason or another, I think the majority sentiment is against providing even that level of support. Some members of Council noted that West Ashley and Mount Pleasant will have three branches and the City of Charleston and the Town of Mount Pleasant are not being asked to fund the operating costs of any of their branches.
On a related issue, I have heard rumors of a proposal to downsize the new James Island branch located in the Grimball community. (This was not part of the communication from the County.) Personally, I do not support any change in the plans for what will be the main library branch on James Island. While I strongly advocated the Library Board's recommendation that the new branch be located at a more central site, my understanding is that they would oppose any reduction in its size at the site selected by County Council. I never thought that the Grimball Road site was bad, but rather controversial among residents of the immediate neighborhood and not quite as good as a more central location. If that is where the new library branch will be, I fully anticipate that it will serve all James Islanders for many years in many ways.
Like most residents of the Town, I would welcome there being two library branches on James Island. I believe that the Library Board would welcome that as well. However, as explained above, I do not believe the Town can afford a substantial contribution to the operating costs of keeping the existing branch open after 2017 when the new Grimball Road branch is slated to open.
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