State Funding Changes Impacting WCPL’s Renovation Plans
May 12, 2025 at 9:12 p.m.
Changes in state funding are adjusting the Warsaw Community Public Library's renovation plans, the WCPL Board of Trustees heard Monday from Library Director Heather Barron.
She noted that the architecture firm for the project, Luminaut, was originally supposed to provide a full schematic design for the project at Monday's meeting.
Barron said that would be "a general floor plan which addresses our major concerns ... public accessibility and safety ... mechanical equipment and mechanical, electrical and plumbing needs ... and the ability to more efficiently use our own space.
"Due to recent economic impacts for different reasons and reviewing the scope of building needs, Luminaut is still working on their opinion of cost, which will be shared with bond counsel," she said. "We are waiting to learn more about the recent legislation as well and how that's going to affect both our funding and any changes in requesting a bond.
"The (state Department of Local Government Finance) is hosting a legislative update next month and again we hope to learn more and (WCPL Business Manager) Renee (Sweeny) will be starting the budget process for 2026, and we're hoping to have some questions answered, so we can formulate a budget," said Barron.
She stated Luminaut and bond counsel were coming up with a new planning timeline for the project.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Barron that in addition to the library hosting the "Americans and the Holocaust" exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association in summer 2026, the library and Warsaw Community Schools are working to bring Holocaust survivor Irene Miller to speak in the area in June 2026.
• Approved the purchase of several new boilers and their installation at a cost of $229,697 from Havel. They should be installed before the weather gets cold.
• Heard that a funeral service for former WCPL Board of Trustees member Dr. Paulette Sauders is 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at Winona Lake Grace Church, with a visitation one hour before.
The board's next meeting is 4 p.m. June 9 at the library.
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Changes in state funding are adjusting the Warsaw Community Public Library's renovation plans, the WCPL Board of Trustees heard Monday from Library Director Heather Barron.
She noted that the architecture firm for the project, Luminaut, was originally supposed to provide a full schematic design for the project at Monday's meeting.
Barron said that would be "a general floor plan which addresses our major concerns ... public accessibility and safety ... mechanical equipment and mechanical, electrical and plumbing needs ... and the ability to more efficiently use our own space.
"Due to recent economic impacts for different reasons and reviewing the scope of building needs, Luminaut is still working on their opinion of cost, which will be shared with bond counsel," she said. "We are waiting to learn more about the recent legislation as well and how that's going to affect both our funding and any changes in requesting a bond.
"The (state Department of Local Government Finance) is hosting a legislative update next month and again we hope to learn more and (WCPL Business Manager) Renee (Sweeny) will be starting the budget process for 2026, and we're hoping to have some questions answered, so we can formulate a budget," said Barron.
She stated Luminaut and bond counsel were coming up with a new planning timeline for the project.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Barron that in addition to the library hosting the "Americans and the Holocaust" exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association in summer 2026, the library and Warsaw Community Schools are working to bring Holocaust survivor Irene Miller to speak in the area in June 2026.
• Approved the purchase of several new boilers and their installation at a cost of $229,697 from Havel. They should be installed before the weather gets cold.
• Heard that a funeral service for former WCPL Board of Trustees member Dr. Paulette Sauders is 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at Winona Lake Grace Church, with a visitation one hour before.
The board's next meeting is 4 p.m. June 9 at the library.