Capital Campaign
Frequently Asked Questions

What will expansion cost and what will we get for the money?

We no longer know for sure. The original plan was priced at $3 million, but costs of materials have risen since that cost was determined. The architect and the Building Expansion committee are seeking ways to lower the cost by redesign or by developing a plan for construction in stages.

Patrons will benefit from the expanded build with full handicapped access, a larger collection, more Internet access, and improved services. The community will benefit from a larger meeting room that will be available 24 hours a day (instead of just during Library hours) and a beautiful restored and improved building in the heart of the hamlet.

Why is the cost to build so high? Can’t you just use volunteers like you did in the 70s?

Both the complexity of building techniques and building code requirements have changed significantly in the last 35 years. Code requirements include – among other things – an elevator for second floor access, and a sprinkler system with a 30,000 gallon pressurized water tank in the basement to feed it. Furthermore, volunteerism is down because everyone has too much to do and too little time to do it. Will it cost more to run once it’s built, and how will you pay for that? A larger Library will cost more to run. Energy efficient measures added during construction will generate operating savings to help offset increases in other areas of the Library, but some items (such as cleaning) must rise for a larger space. Even with new shelves to fill, the cost of books and other items should rise only at the rate of inflation, since we will be able to keep items shelved that now must be discarded for lack of space.

Why can't you move to another location?

The location in the center of the hamlet makes the Library easy to reach for patrons. It is in walking distance from the most commonly used retail stores in the hamlet. School buses drop off students at the Library after school to do their homework. Students in classes at the adjacent churches also use the Library as a meeting point with their parents. None of these conveniences would be available at sites outside the hamlet.

The hamlet of Pleasant Valley is gradually becoming once again a beautiful settlement that invites visitors and businesses. A large building in Victorian style between the two churches will contribute greatly to creating that image of the hamlet. There are not many historic buildings left in Pleasant Valley, especially not downtown, although there are a few buildings preserved from the mill. Expanding the Manse instead of abandoning it will preserve some more of the traditional architecture of the town.

It is not known what the fate would be of the property if the Library moved to a different location. The Library owns the Manse but leases the land. The terms of the lease do not permit any other use for the land. The most likely future for the Manse if the Library moves is deterioration. This building was converted to a Library in the 1970s and is not really suited for any other use without extensive remodeling. The church leases the land to the Library for a nominal $1 a year; at a new location, the Library would have to buy land as well as buy or more likely erect a building.

The Manse will need some reworking when the new extension is built, but it will provide many square feet of space that would not otherwise have to be built. Recently the second floor of the Manse has been remade as a result of a building improvement grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, and most windows have been funded partly by a grant from New York State. Moving away from the Manse would mean abandoning this 2008 investment of $40,000 in the present building.

How are you going to raise the money?

When will construction begin and when will the building be finished?

That all depends on the pace of donations, which we are unable to predict. We need the expanded facilities now.