Trustees weigh two children’s-area redesigns with estimates ranging from about $193K to $593K

The Franklin Public Library Board of Trustees spent the bulk of its April 27 meeting reviewing two competing proposals to redesign the library’s children’s area and discussing how to pay for the work.

Library staff presented a concept from Library Furniture International (LFI) that would lower shelving to about 4 feet in the children’s area, add a “baby garden” play space, a tween area, acoustic panels and mobile units for flexibility. “For what you just saw, everything you just saw, a $192,607.21,” the presenter stated while showing the LFI itemized quote. Trustees were told that the LFI estimate did not include shipping and installation; staff said those costs could add roughly 25 percent.

A separate, more expansive plan from another vendor produced a substantially larger estimate. “They broke it down by line item: $593,440.24,” a staff presenter reported, adding that the vendor’s shelving-and-bench subtotal alone was listed as $317,242. Trustees noted that, by comparison, $593,000 would exceed a third of the library’s annual operating budget.

Trustees and staff discussed practical steps to reduce cost and stage the work. Treasurer Alan Alexandrovich and others pressed staff to identify which elements were essential (for example, the baby garden and a visible tween area) and which could be phased or substituted with reused furniture. Several trustees urged soliciting a third vendor to produce a closer apples‑to‑apples comparison and asked staff to obtain itemized bottom lines to support phasing and fundraising.

Staff described potential cost-saving measures: reusing some existing metal shelving with added colorful end panels, seeking free showroom furniture from vendors (staff reported acquiring showroom pieces from Demco at no charge) and investigating whether existing high shelves could be cut down (trustees were warned that cutting can be as expensive as new shelving, and staff committed to get a quote).

On financing, trustees discussed forming an ad hoc fundraising committee that would include foundation members and community volunteers to pursue private donations and sponsorships rather than relying solely on city funds. “It would be a huge job for the staff,” the board president said when suggesting a joint fundraising effort with the foundation.

What’s next: staff will solicit a third vendor (Lakeshore/Lakeshore Learning was mentioned), pare down the current quotes into prioritized, phased options, and present revised cost comparisons and fundraising recommendations at a future meeting.