the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the cumulative fees paid to architects for the Ridgewood Public Library Reimagine Project are $65,270 .
In 2016-2018 the library hired Peter Gisolfi Associates a preliminary design and cost estimates to update the library interior . Gisolfi received the bulk of the $65,270 of $55,620 for the work with $45,501 paid for thru private donations.
The library also paid Library Development Solutions (LDS) a consulting firm hired to study the needs of the Village of Ridgewood ie tell Ridgewood what it needs in a new library , $41,131. LDS was first hired in 2013-2014 ,then again in 2018 -2019 . According sources at the library no public funds were used for LDS in 2013 -2014.
While we applaud the use of private money for the library renovation we noticed it did not seem very clear on the Ridgewood Public Library Foundation website .
Which begs the question , who would donate so much money for plans that may or may not ever be used. Were the donors told their donations were specifically for plans ?
https://www.ridgewoodlibraryfoundation.org/2018annualappeal?fbclid=IwAR0HADNPkpmohdnqBtLdM7sUMSa7MSpCDMh2y8X-CRkxpjFI4WzsONeY15c
The information on those links are very telling. Seems like the library is using private funds to circumvent the process.
Is this what the famous Clam Bake was for?
Don’t see any mention of plans on their annual plea…
*iPad Pros, virtual reality accessories and resources, drones and MakerSpace tools to support STEM programs
•Gadgets and technology to encourage youth participation, including gaming consoles, smart boards, Lego tables and more. Coming soon – DJ equipment!
•Charging stations to power patron devices
•A new microfiche scanner to enable access to our community’s rich history
Circumvent what process? People that care about the library donate to the library foundation and the library gets improved. Don’t use the library? Don’t donate. Exactly how much control would you like to have over how I choose to use my money?