Future Of Morgan Library Uncertain

The Morgan Library hasn’t always been a library.

 

The second story originally housed a museum.

 

That means the structure wasn’t built to hold the weight of all those books. 

 

“What we can do there is limited by the way the building is constructed, the way the building is wired, so we basically are going to have to work with what we’ve got until the new plans are completed,” said Tim Berry, the Morgan Library Head Librarian.

 

Part of the planned change would transform the building into a library of the future, moving more of the hard copies to digital format, which could help when finding a new location.

 

“One of the things and one of the main differences is when you have a print book, only one person can use it at a time. When it’s digital, as many people who want access to that same material can have it,” said Berry.

 

Some library patrons are looking forward to a new building and the improvements. 

 

“I think they should still make the move so it can be a better place and more people can come out. Like I said, it’s a very good library,” said Dezmond Simmons.

 

“I like the library. I just think more people need to come out and support it,” said Devonte Carter.

 

The future of the library is in the hands of a committee. They’re pressing on with a library of the future, but Michael Briddell with the city says it won’t be at one Dexter Plaza, as originally planned.

 

“They’ll probably have their findings in about 30 to 60 days. Again, funding is going to be the biggest factor in determining which option the library takes,” said Briddell.