And as expansion of the existing library on Center Street nears completion, those new faces are smiling.

Despite years of controversy and slow-developing plans, they are confident the public will be pleased with the future high-tech, 43,000-square-foot facility.

"This will be a phenomenal center of community activity for learning and discovery," said board member Larry Chamberlin.

Even though the board has seen four new members in the past two years (Chamberlin, Mark Morrison, David Feinstein and Ruth Jones), overseeing the $4.8 million project appears to be almost seamless in its transition.

Much of the credit is directed to library director Ann Zydek, who sparked talk of expansion nearly a decade ago when her last name was Zoski.

"She deserves an honorary hard hat. She's gone above and beyond the role of the typical library director," Chamberlin said.

The need to expand or relocate had been discussed since the mid 1980s. The issue hit a turning point in July 1992 when members of Taxpayers Action Network blocked attempts by the library to relocate to the fairgrounds by submitting a petition.

TAN opposed the project's cost and the idea of moving the library from the immediate downtown.

Afterward, the board considered other options, but decided in 1994 to expand the existing facility.

The battle with TAN left some members frustrated and exhausted. But reasons for the changing makeup of the board vary.

Within weeks of TAN's action, Bill Darr was replaced by Warsaw Community Schools with TAN member Joy Fair, who stepped down after one four-year term. The school system later replaced Fred Helfrich with Mark Morrison.

Bob Gephart and Charlie Wheeler both retired after serving a maximum 16 years on the board. Ron Raber stepped aside because of illness. Jane Scott moved to Ohio.

Another TAN member, Irv Lindemuth, was appointed by Kosciusko County Council to fill a vacancy.

Earlier this month, Donna Lee, the last remaining board member who felt the wrath of TAN, stepped down and was replaced by Ruth Jones.

Current board members have made significiant contributions to the evolving design. Board president Don Sweatland led efforts to go beyond the approved expansion design and add 6,000 square feet, using funds raised by the community.

Building a facility elsewhere would have been much easier.

Expanding the downtown facility was complicated by the need to acquire adjacent properties for parking because the new building consumed much of the original parking lot. A tangle of underground utilities also had to be juggled.

Meshing the aesthetics of the 80-year old building with the new construction was also a struggle. For example, the traditional red roof tile is being replaced because of its excessive weight and cost. The exterior brick will also be matched as closely as possible.

Still ahead will be the transition from old to new when the original building is renovated after the new portion is opened for use.

The entire project continues to progress on time and within its proposed budget. Completion is expected by April 1998.

Jones joined others in an impromptu tour of the new facility last week during her first meeting. "I'm very impressed with all the planning," she said. "I know it didn't happen overnight."

Sweatland and others say the project should have moved faster, but they're pleased nontheless.

"It did take a long time to get to where we felt we had the community support to go ahead with the project," Candace Wolkins said.

Mark Morrison came on board as the building's size was debated.

"A lot of us agonized over a lot of the different issues personally, but one of the strengths of the board is we're all willing to talk over the issues, discuss them, study it, take a vote, and that resolves it." [[In-content Ad]]