The city’s budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year allotted $967,239 for Bruton Memorial Library, a $106
,519.71 increase from the previous fiscal year.
With the additional funds, Bruton Memorial Library is planning a number of improvements that will benefit Plant City patrons and those from neighboring municipalities.
Improvements are outline in Bruton Memorial Library’s Annual Plan of Service 2015-16 and Long Range Plan 2015-18. The plans were submitted to City Commission at its Monday, Sept. 28, meeting. Improvements include the replacement of the west roof, new technologies, expansion of a reading room and beautification to the outside by planting a butterfly garden.
Bruton Memorial Library averages about 20,000 visitors per month. From September 2014 to August 2015 Bruton Memorial Library had 240,372 visitors.
Tonda Morris, director of library operations, said that one of the goals of the library is to make regular patrons and visitors feel at home.
“I want people to feel good,” Morris said. “I want this to be a calm and relaxing space.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IMPROVEMENTS AND FAST FACTS
Butterfly Garden
A milkweed grant from TheMonarchWatch.org will go toward planting milkweed once the weather
gets cooler.
New West Roof
One of the largest improvements is the replacement of Bruton Memorial Library’s west roof, a project that will cost an estimated $168,000. The east roof was replaced a few years ago.
Open Spaces
Expanding an existing reading room will cost $50,000. It will double as a conference room and quiet area. The naming rights for generous donors are up for grabs.
Visitor Count
Bruton Memorial Library averages about 20,000 visitors per month. From September 2014 to August 2015 Bruton Memorial Library had 240,372 visitors.
Laptop Computers
As part of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, Bruton Memorial Library will be receiving laptops, which will replace the facility’s public use desktops. The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative provides the laptops and does routine maintenance for the computers.
Bruton Memorial Library may develop a laptop checkout system. The initiative is part of a project being led by libraries in Pasco County.
For the Kids
Two iPads will be installed in the youth section of the library within the next year. The iPads will come out of Bruton Memorial Library’s budget and will be attached to a desk in a plexiglass-like enclosure.
Director of Library Operations Tonda Morris is unsure of the exact price of the iPads and their installation date.
“It’s helpful for (youth), when they can’t have that at home,” Morris said. “They can at least use it here in the library.”
BOOKISH BREAKDOWN
A full report on the library’s 2015-2018 long range plan and 2015-2016 annual plan of services is available here: https://plantcity.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=1839