County consultant urges new northern library and mobile services after community assessment

Citrus County commissioners heard findings July 14 from a community needs assessment intended to shape library capital and service planning for the next five to 20 years.

Adam Chang, the county’s library services director, said the six‑month project—funded with library impact fees—was designed to identify service gaps and to ensure investments match community priorities. Consultant Rob Cullen of Rethinking Libraries presented the results, saying surveys and workshops showed broad public support for libraries but noted space constraints at Central Ridge and persistent demand in the northern part of the county.

Cullen said the study identified interest in mobile services and a potential new site near Citrus Springs or a nearby high school. Preliminary planning numbers discussed with the board put a likely new facility in the 20,000‑square‑foot range with estimated capital costs of roughly $12 million to $18 million, depending on design and construction conditions. Cullen and Chang emphasized those were order‑of‑magnitude figures and that operational impacts—particularly staffing—would be significant: roughly 60–70 percent of most library budgets are personnel costs.

Commissioners asked about hours, funding sources and options for using county transit to help residents reach library services. Chang and Cullen cited successful low‑cost upgrades at other branches and the potential for administrative space moves to free public‑facing capacity at Central Ridge.

The presentation does not represent a final plan; Cullen said the full, detailed report is more than 100 pages and will inform future strategic and master planning steps. Commissioners directed staff to continue follow‑up and to return with options for potential siting, funding scenarios and operational implications.

Next steps: staff and the library director will use the assessment to shape capital planning and return to the board with implementation options in coming months.