New plans unveiled for Sherwood branch upgrade as London Public Library finances stabilize
Library has close to enough money for renovations but asks the public to bring it home
The London Public Library is asking the public for donations as it prepares to upgrade one of its most used facilities.
Renovation plans for the Sherwood Branch Library are expected to include facility upgrades, a brighter and more welcoming main entrance, larger spaces for programming and studying, a laptop bar, an interactive children's area and more, said CEO Michael Ciccone.
"This is a highly used branch serving a diverse and engaged community, and we know our community will be excited to help support this much needed transformation," he said.
The project is expected to cost roughly $1.5 million, with $1.2 million already being allocated for the project and roughly $300,000 left to raise.
Ciccone said that despite the last municipal budget not meeting the library's ask, the financial situation there is steady for now.
Each year, LPL holds a fundraising campaign in November and December and raises between $50,000 and $100,000, give or take, Ciccone said.
"Because we're doing this renovation, we thought it'd be appropriate that this year's [fundraising] campaign focused on that renovation. We held an open house last summer and every member of the public we spoke to ... was very excited," he said.
Donors are invited to contribute through the library's donation website, by phone or in-person at branches.
On top of the fundraising campaign, Ciccone said, money left over from previous donations will also be used. The Sherwood Forest Mall will contribute for some of the work on the building's exterior, and the library is hoping to attract the interest of donors who are willing to give sizeable gifts to bring the project to fruition.
He also said the $1.2-million capital allocation already earmarked for the project came before the 2024-2027 multi-year municipal budget that saw the library and City Hall butt heads over a funding ask that was pared down by politicians.
Library finances stabilized
Since the 2024 budget process that slashed the library's funding ask for a 19.9 per cent budget increase down to seven per, finances at the library have stabilized, Ciccone said.
The final budget approved for the library for 2024 included a base funding increase from $22.12 million in 2023 to $23.67 million, while the library initially requested an increase to $26.53 million.
Instead of granting the full request, council agreed to give the library one-time funding above its base budget for important repairs and other services. That extra funding amounted to $5.82 million, for a total 2024 budget of $29.49 million.
During the budget process, the library warned service cuts were likely and the closure of some branches could even be in the cards. Earlier this year, library officials cut Sunday hours early and opted not to renew the program in an attempt to save money.
"[The budget] did place us in a precarious operational position for the current year and for 2025," Ciccone said.
Thanks to financial reserves built up during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing staff vacancies, and seeking out cost savings when possible, however, the situation isn't quite so precarious anymore, Ciccone added.
"We'll be able to maintain current service levels through this budget cycle."
Provided the scheduled budget increases in 2025, 2026 and 2027 remain at their current approved levels, Ciccone said the library will likely find itself in a "better operational position," wherein it will be able to partially renovate many branches, repair many and improve other aspects like lighting.
That's especially combined with more money set to be allocated to the library now that its asset management plan has been completed.
"Would we love to do full renovations? Yes. Do we have the funding to do full renovations at this time? No," Ciccone said.
"We're very cognizant of the of the budget situation of the city. So I think we'll wait for the right time to have those conversations."