Provided as a JCPL Public Service Education Program

Voters reject referendum for new library branch in Franklin

Johnson County Public Library district voters rejected a referendum that would have funded a new branch in Franklin and other library projects. A total of 13,441 people, or 74 percent of the voters who cast ballots, said no to the referendum. The project received 4,668 yes votes, or 26 percent of the total.

Here are comments from library officials:

Beverly Martin, Director

"While disappointed with the outcome, we are going to continue providing the best possible library services to our patrons and the community. That doesn't change at all."

"The proposed projects came from the community. Hundreds of people attended town hall meetings, participated in public opinion polls and community advisory groups, and asked for this project. They wanted a library that would meet their needs for many years to come. We still have a responsibility to provide that to them."

"We will go back again and ask the public what they want their library system to look like for the next 20 years. We will continue developing long-range plans and implementing them in order to meet the needs of our community."

Diane Black, Library Board President

"This vote does not diminish the board's commitment to our community and our library system.  We are determined to have outstanding libraries because the public has asked us to do that."

"Unfortunately, this was a missed opportunity for our community to do something truly special for a very affordable investment. This is especially sad for the city of Franklin. A new library branch in Franklin will provide so much socially and economically. We are determined to still make this happen."

"When our board unanimously decided to move forward with the referendum, we said our goal was to build an outstanding branch in Franklin that would serve the community for the future. That goal has not, nor will not, change."

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Just the Facts: Answers to the Public's Questions 

The Johnson County Public Library district voters on May 8 will consider
a referendum to fund a new Franklin Branch, improve the White River Branch and convert the current
Franklin facility into a new Library Services Center.

During the past two years, the library district has held eight town hall meetings, listened to input from a
30-member Community Advisory Group, reviewed comments and questions submitted on a website
and made presentations to community groups and local government boards.

Through this public process, patrons and citizens have asked about the project details, the scope, the location, the costs, the schematics, the public input process and the tax impact.

As a service to the community, the library board is providing answers to the many public questions about the project. To view the digital version of this special section, click on the cover page or:

Read more 

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Library board votes to hold building project referendum on May 8

The Johnson County Public Library Board has voted
to call for a referendum to fund a building project that would construct a new branch building in Franklin, renovate part of the branch in White River Township and turn the current Franklin Branch into a new
Library Services Center.

The board on January 24 unanimously approved a motion that would put the referendum on the ballot in the May 8 primary election. Registered voters who live in the library district are eligible to vote on the question.

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Board releases rendering of parking facility for proposed branch

The Johnson County Public Library Board has released preliminary information about a parking facility at the proposed new Franklin Branch. The facility would have room for 250 vehicles. The city of Franklin has agreed to provide $3.5 million in funds to the library district to help defray costs for the new parking facility.

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Preliminary planning diagram for new Franklin Branch unveiled

The public now has an idea of the inside layout of a proposed new Franklin Branch of the Johnson County Public Library. The library board has released a document that shows how the two-story building would be divided for various departments.

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Department of Local Government Finance referendum information

The State of Indiana provides important information about the May 8 referendum on the Johnson County Public Library project. Accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates has filed required financial reports, which are available here:

View Information Filing

View Final Determination on Proposed Question Submitted

• Why public libraries are here to stay
  April 4 2012
• Floor plans for proposed new branch unveiled
  February 22 2012
• Board releases rendering of parking facility
  February 22 2012