Des Plaines library officials, hoping to relocate to a downtown development that is in the planning stages, have asked the city for a 1998 budget increase of $275,000.
Though formally requesting that the budget be increased to $3.1 million from 1997’s projected budget of $2.8 million, library administrator Sandra Norlin said circulation figures have increased for three consecutive years.
Speaking to the Des Plaines City Council, which met Monday as a Committee of the Whole, Norlin cited other library accomplishments during 1997, including the creation of computerized library catalogs and research materials that are available via computer at all hours.
Increases in the proposed budget, which will receive formal consideration in several weeks, included a general wage increase of 3.5 percent and a materials budget increase of 10.7 percent.
That money would boost by about 5 percent the library’s collection of books, magazines, newspapers and audio-visual materials, Norlin said.
Libary Board President John Burke said officials spent about $200,000 this year on structural work at the library, including a new roof.
About $130,000 budgeted for new carpeting and windows in 1998 could be redirected if the library gets approval to move into the proposed downtown development in 1998, Burke said.
Even if given the go-ahead, the library would remain at its current site for three years, he said.
A meeting in which the “super-block” development project will be discussed was scheduled for Dec. 8, officials said.
