FAQs

See below for answers to some frequently asked questions about the project.

• Q: Why do we need a new library?
  • A: Rose Memorial Library’s building has not expanded since the mid-60’s, though the population it serves has nearly doubled, and the needs and wants of the community have changed drastically.
• Q: How big will the new space be?
  • A: 117 West Main St. is approximately 12,000 usable square feet. Rose Memorial’s current building is 3,500 square feet.

• Q: How much is it going to cost?
  • A: There will be a one-time increase of $1,475,000 which will bring the annual contribution to the library from the Town of Stony Point to a consistent $1.8 million. $1.8 million annually will cover the increased operating costs consistent with a larger library program and debt service, which includes the $1.425 million purchase and $8.0 million renovation of the historic 1895 schoolhouse.
• Q: What will this cost me specifically?
  • A: When broken down, the funding request for 2023 is $3.78 total per $1,000 of assessed home value for homestead parcels and $8.96 total per $1,000 of assessed value for non-homestead parcels. Assessed home values can be found via the 2022 Final Assessment Roll on the Town of Stony Point site at https://www.townofstonypoint.org/departments/assessors-office. 

• Q: I’m not much of a reader. How will I benefit from this project?
  • A: The days of libraries as dusty, silent, repositories for books are over! Modern libraries are above and beyond centers for gathering, creating, entertainment, and learning for the whole community. They offer not only story times for children, but FREE robotics programs, fitness classes, expert-led art classes, movie nights, field trips, concerts, community gardening plots, cooking classes and more for all age ranges. The new Rose Memorial Library would have spaces for work and play, fast-wifi, and technology that might be hard to find elsewhere.
• Q: Is Rose Memorial Library under contract for the schoolhouse?
  • A: Yes, the Library officially went under contract for the schoolhouse on June 4, 2022.
• Q: Can the Library purchase or renovate the schoolhouse without public funding?
  • A: While Rose Memorial Library will be pursuing grants and accepting private donations to reduce costs, the purchase and renovation cannot happen without public funding.
• Q: What will happen to the schoolhouse at 117 W Main St. if Rose Memorial Library does not purchase it?
  • A: The schoolhouse will either continue to sit empty and fall into disrepair or be sold for private use.
• Q: What is the process for making this happen?
  • A: The first step is collecting enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The petition for signatures will be circulated in Stony Point by town residents in July. If the petition qualifies, then a funding referendum will be placed before the Stony Point voters in November 2022. If a majority yes vote is received, the building/property renovation will commence in 2023.
• Q: It is a larger building with longer opening hours and additional services. Will the library be coming back to town residents asking for increased funding as soon as the building is open?
  • A: No, town residents will not be asked to contribute more to the library as soon as it opens. The financial planner the library is working with has projected updated staffing and operational costs for the new building through at least 2033, and those figures have been taken into account in the total amount requested for this project.
• Q: Wait, didn’t Rose Memorial already try for this building? How is this different?
  • A: Yes, Rose Memorial Library made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire the school building for a new library in 2017. The referendum lost by 103 votes. In the 5 years since, a lot has changed, for Stony Point, for the Library, and for the world at large. This new vision for 117 W Main will be more than just a library. It will be a bustling center of gathering, creativity, and hands-on learning for the whole community.
• Q: Why does this project cost so much more than what was brought to vote in 2017?
  • A: The 2017 amount did not include a full estimate for construction costs or appropriate operating costs. The library would have had to return to voters for an increase in funding almost immediately had it passed.

• Q: Can my scout troop/seniors group/non-profit use the new meeting room?
  • A: Yes! The meeting rooms will be available, by reservation, for free for community group use.
• Q: Can I host a baby shower/birthday/retirement party in the meeting room?
  • A: Yes! The meeting room will be available for private event rental, by reservation, for a small fee.
• Q: Is there a place to hold an interview or small business meeting?
  • A: There will be small, private study rooms available for academic or work use.
• Q: Will the new building be handicap accessible?
  • A: Public spaces in the building will be fully accessible and ADA-compliant.
• Q: Will the new building have any sustainability features?
  • A: We have requested that all architecture plans contain extensive sustainability and resiliency features, both to meet the needs our community as it addresses the challenges presented by climate change and to reduce operating costs.
• Q: What will the new project include for my teen/tween?
  • A: Within the budget for this project is a dedicated teen librarian to work with and create programming specifically for the teens and tweens in our community. The new building would also feature a supervised teen space that would include its own set of high speed computers, a YA collection, comfortable, welcoming spaces for hanging out, and doors so that teens could feel comfortable being themselves without disrupting more calm spaces elsewhere in the building.
• Q: How can people get to the new building?
  • A: The new building will have ample on-site parking. There are also sidewalks along the front of the property and racks will be available for those bike to the library.
• Q: Will there be room for tutoring?
  • A: Yes, the building will include small, closed (but bright) rooms for tutoring, small group study, business meetings, or for visitors who prefer a quiet experience.
• Q: What will happen to the current library building?
  • A: Rose Memorial Library will be offering its current building at 79 E Main St. to Town Hall as they have outgrown their current space and currently require the use of a portable office space in their parking lot.
• Q: I have a question that wasn’t answered here. Who should I ask?
  • A: You can reach out to Alice Meacham, Director of Rose Memorial Library, at ameacham@rcls.org with any questions.
• Q: Can you come talk to my community group about the project?
  • A: Sure! Reach out to Alice Meacham, Rose Memorial Library Director at ameacham@rcls.org