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According to the Urban Institute's report, "Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development," (January 2007), libraries are "active economic development agents." In their physical placement, libraries, "anchor development, generate foot traffic, (and) revitalize commercial and cultural activity." In their programming, libraries strengthen the local workforce through early literacy programs and through providing access to technology and resources for job search and preparation. They support nonprofits, small business and entrepreneurship through providing access to technology, databases and registries, and by offering business assistance and planning programming.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a partner in the Metro Library Network. The network allows users of the Marion, Hiawatha, and Cedar Rapids libraries equal and virtually seamless access to the resources of each separate institution. In addition, the Cedar Rapids library provides services to Linn County residents and to residents of the county's smaller communities that don't have a local library. The long-term economic impacts of establishing a new main library, as described above, will be augmented by the strength of this service delivery network.

More than 160,000 books, dvds, cds, and other items were lost from the collection on the first floor. All reference materials were also lost. Documents of historic relevance are currently stabilized in freezers. All furnishings and equipment on the first floor (approx. 50,000 S.F.) were lost, including all public access computers and the computer lab/education center. Items on the first floor not directly damaged by floodwater were destroyed within the first few days after the flood, due to extreme humidity and rapid mold growth.

The building also sustained major damage, including the loss of all building mechanical systems, which were beneath or at ground level. All finishes on the first floor were destroyed and removed. FEMA has determined the building has sustained damage greater than 50% of its current value. The building has been stabilized, and is currently sealed.

Cost estimates also include $5 million for a 312-space parking ramp. The current facility has a surface lot of approximately 44 spaces. Patrons were historically frustrated with inadequate parking at that facility. Pending selection of a specific site, parking may already exist or may be provided by another city service. In that case, this budget item would be eliminated or reduced.

There are also incremental costs associated with becoming LEED certified, which include additional design fees and registration and commissioning costs. These are estimated at $200,000.

Job creation estimates for construction were provided by the project architect, OPN Architects, and based on their considerable experience with similar projects. Among those libraries recently designed and constructed by OPN are: the Moline Public Library, the Des Moines East Side Branch Library, and the Washington Public Library (additional information available at www.opnarchitects.com).

Temporary jobs to be created and retained will be under the supervision of the general contractor, which will be required to be registered to conduct work in the state of Iowa. In accordance with safe work practices stipulated by bid specifications, the contractor will be contractually obligated to ensure a safe work site is maintained at all times. In addition, the architecture firm will be responsible for ongoing contractor monitoring.

For full-time union members, annual benefits costs range from $11,000 to $19,000, depending on whether they opt for single or family health insurance & dental. The average cost for library staff is $13,662.

In 2008, Iowa Workforce Development compiled a "Fringe Benefit Profile" for the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids Corridor, encompassing Linn and Johnson Counties (available at www.priority1.com) According to the profile, 84.2% of employers offer a fringe benefit package in addition to wage compensation, and of that 84.2%, 86.2% offer health/medical insurance in that package. In the construction industry in particular, 83.7% offered health/medical benefits to full-time employees and 7.7% to part-time employees. A general contractor is yet to be selected, however based on this information, it is likely that health benefits will be provided at a similar ratio.

The results of the study also show that benefits provided by the City compare favorably to typical comparable jobs in the county.

Prior to the flood of 2008, the Cedar Rapids Public Library was actively pursuing these purposes through reading programs, public computer access, computer classes, online registries and databases, and numerous other programmatic efforts. The library also served as the number one destination in downtown Cedar Rapids. With its two temporary facilities (14,000 SF at Westdale Mall and 2,400 SF at the Armstrong Center in downtown Cedar Rapids), the library continues to provide these services on a more limited basis.

The Board of Trustees is committed to creating a new main public library that will provide the appropriate informational, technological, and physical resources to adequately serve the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area and residents throughout Linn County. The trustees are also committed to building an iconic, sustainable structure that is centrally-located in the downtown area, and which is consistent with the City's downtown redevelopment plan.

In preparation for the projected opening of a new facility in 2012, the Board of Trustees is currently seeking signatures (minimum of 1,000) to place a referendum on the ballot for the November 2009 general election. The purpose of the referendum will be to raise the operating levy up to the maximum of $0.27/mil. It is anticipated this will generate $1.2 Million in additional operating funds annually for a period of ten years.

If the referendum is not placed on the November ballot, or such an election is not successful, the board will work with area legislators to secure a legislative cure, allowing for a special election prior to opening of the new library in 2012.

Also, the Board of Trustees will seek Silver LEED Certification to construct a building that is energy efficient and operationally sustainable.

“The main facility should be located in an area that, to the greatest extent possible, avoids the potential for future flooding. Moisture and humidity ruin library materials even if they are above the water line. The CRPL must never again face the losses experienced in 2008."

To that end, the Board of Trustees is currently working with the city council to identify sites that abide by the principle, either by being outside of harm's way, as defined by the events of 2008, or by being adequately protected by the City's short- and long-term mitigation measures.

"Restore full business vitality" - the library will provide an anchor for downtown redevelopment;

"Preserve our arts and cultural assets" - the library will be a state-of-the-art community meeting place and destination;

"Maintain our historic heritage" - the library will serve as a repository for the community's history;

"Assure that we can retain and attract the next generation workforce" - the library will serve as an economic driver, a recruiting resource, and a symbol of the community's resiliency to those choosing to remain in, or considering to relocate to, Cedar Rapids.

The library is also participating in the City's current facilities planning process, a series of open houses to formulate the "Public Facilities Rebuilding Plan."

Re-establishment of the main library benefits the recovery of businesses by restoring free access to resources for small businesses, injecting stimulus to the local economy, and anchoring redevelopment of the downtown area.

Re-establishment of the main library benefits the recovery of nonprofit organizations by restoring free access to grantsmanship, organizational development, and administrative resources, and by providing state-of-the-art facilities for meetings and events. Access to these resources has practical implications for minimizing costs and maximizing resources for small and emerging nonprofit organizations.