Boone County library seeks to build shelter with FEMA aid

It’s not unusual for 40 or more Ashland students to gather at the Southern Boone County Public Library after school. When a severe storm approaches, the library staff takes the children half a block down the street to the Ashland Baptist Church basement.

“Every time that tornado siren goes off, I can’t help but think of who’s in the library and where they’re going to go,” City Administrator Ken Eftink said.

During a public hearing in January, members of the Ashland community suggested that a storm shelter be considered in a new building for the Southern Boone County Public Library.

The Boone County Library District and the city of Ashland are looking into a grant for a possible storm shelter through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“We just had some discussion with the FEMA office about grant opportunities,” Eftink said. “We’re early enough in the design process that we haven’t made that application.”

Tim Dollens, the public library’s supervisor, said the library is a popular meeting place for students because it’s close to Ashland schools. “For most children, it’s considered a safe zone,” he said.

The shelter is one of many suggestions that the Daniel Boone Regional Library ­— which serves the city of Columbia, Callaway County and all of Boone County except Centralia — is exploring for a new facility. Other ideas include additional after-school activities, services for small businesses, meeting rooms, vending machines and lifelong learning programs.

“We’re like a small-town library that does everything,” Dollens said. “We’re fortunate to have the resources of a large library system.”

In September, the Daniel Boone Regional Library bought 1.5 acres at 911 S. Henry Clay Blvd., just south of Southern Boone County Primary School. In January, the library bought an additional 0.94 acres. The library has also hired an architect to design the building.

Elinor Barrett, the regional library’s associate director, said the library hopes the conceptual designs for the building will be complete by the end of the year.

As part of the regional library system, the Boone County Library District is responsible for exploring funding options for the new library. The Boone County district includes all county residents who live outside of the 1965 Columbia city limits and the 1965 Centralia city limits. According to the regional library’s 2005 annual report, the library system drew 92.9 percent of its revenue from property taxes.

Library officials have decided to seek an increase in the tax levy for the Boone County Library District to finance the Ashland project as well as a branch library being considered on Columbia’s north side. No decision has been made on the amount or when to put an issue before voters.