A year-long public relations and engagement effort paid off on April 2 for the Huntley Area Library District.
District voters gave the district an emphatic vote of confidence and support by approving a $12.9 million facility expansion plan by a 2-1 margin in Tuesday’s local election.
“We made a big effort to make our community a big part of this project,” said Leigh Ann Porsch, who directed a major public relations effort with community organizations. The approval will allow the district to add about 17,000 square feet and modernize existing areas at its facility on Ruth Road in Huntley.
The library proposal was approved with 2,710 yes votes, compared to 1,359 no votes. In McHenry County, there were 1,862 yes votes and 957 nos. In Kane County, the totals were 848 yes, and 402 no. In Kane County, about 22% of eligible voters cast ballots on the issue.
“We tried to build trust with the community and engage them in the planning effort,” said Frank Novak, library director. “We had a very good effort by our marketing committee, and we tried to start early. We were hopefully optimistic going in, but the numbers were surprisingly positive.”
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin late this year or early in 2020, Novak said.
Additional information on this subject will be published in upcoming editions of the Sun Day.
