Our planned new library will be located at ...

After more than a year of searching for the right site to build a new library to replace the Belt Branch, Rolling Hills Library has a contract under review and work has started on building plans. If all goes well, the new branch could be open by early 2026.

The site is in the new development where the University of Missouri-Kansas City also plans to build a School of Medicine facility at the east end of Faraon Street, across from Mosaic Life Care. 

Library Director Michelle Mears said the library was seeking a piece of ground that was accessible, affordable and relatively flat to minimize site preparation costs. The location also had to be in the library’s taxing district.

“It took us quite a while to find this piece of land,” she said. “It drew our attention because of other development in that area.”

The four-acre lot will be at the end of a new road to be built south of Faraon into the development. The building will be located near the east side of the lot so it will be visible from Riverside Road.

The project calls for a 36,000-square-foot building that houses the library, Bookmobile office and garage, Administration Office and the Friends of the Library’s used bookstore, Books Revisited. The estimated building project cost is $16 million.

“We have over half of that amount in reserves and will issue certificates of participation to fund the remaining amount,” Mears said.

Sapp Design Architects of Kansas City is the project architect and was chosen for its experience with libraries. The firm has designed more than 25 new libraries and library renovations in Missouri and Kansas, with the majority of those in the Kansas City area.

J.E. Dunn Construction of Kansas City is the construction-manager-at-risk. It will work with Sapp through the design process to create the best plans and build the library at a guaranteed maximum price. The contract with Dunn includes a goal for local contractors to be used for at least 40 percent of the project.

After the new library is built, the library-owned Rolling Hills Plaza strip mall where the Belt Branch, Administration Offices and Books Revisited are currently located will be sold. “It should be an attractive investment for someone who wants to own retail space,” Mears said.

More information about the new library project is available at https://rhcl.org/building-project. 

Programs to shine light on Shakespeare Chateau, Missouri Theater

 Two of St. Joseph’s historic jewels will be the subjects of two upcoming programs at the Belt Branch.

 At 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, Isobel McGowan, owner/innkeeper of the Shakespeare Chateau Bed and Breakfast, will share her story of preserving the iconic house. McGowan bought the house in 2012 and restored it to its original glory. Now the non-profit organization Shakespeare Chateau Guild is working to raise $5 million to purchase it and its adjoining property to secure its future.

 At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, Frank Polleck will speak about the history of the Missouri Theater, where he has worked behind the scenes for more than 40 years. Designed by theater architects Boller Brothers of Kansas City, the building was completed in 1927 and has Art Deco and Moorish details.

 Both programs will be in the library’s Community Room and are open to the public.

Voters will have chance April 2 to lower library tax levy

Voters will have chance April 2 to lower library tax levy

On Tuesday, April 2, Rolling Hills Library will ask voters in Andrew County and parts of Buchanan County to “right-size” its tax levy by reducing the overall amount by 3 cents and ending the 20-year sunset on one half of the overall levy. The library passed a renewal of the sunset portion of the levy in August 2019 with 80% voter approval.

The library now wants to lower the total levy because it has found it can continue providing a growing collection, educational programs and modern resources for its users at the lower amount.

“We are not asking for an increase, only to combine our operating levies into one and decrease the total from 31 cents to 28 cents,” library Director Michelle Mears said.

The move also is an important step for building the library’s planned new St. Joseph location that would replace the Belt Branch, 1904 N. Belt. To fund the project, the library would use reserve funds for about half of the costs and issue construction bonds for the other half. But to issue bonds, the sunset needs to be removed to assure the bonds could be paid across a reasonable term and leave enough tax funds for annual operations.

“Without this change, it would be like a person buying a house on a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year note. That makes those payments kind of steep,” Mears said.

Mears also commented on the overall library budget: “Inflation has had an effect on library budgets, like everything else. In order for staff salaries and benefits to keep up with minimum wage and be comparable with local employers, the library needs stable funding. We can’t make long-term commitments or plans with sunset levies.”

The project to construct a new facility will proceed even if this levy vote fails, and the library board has the option to try again at a later election date. A shorter repayment term could lead to cutting the size of the project to have lower bond payments, which could mean if future building expansions are needed construction costs could be more expensive.

Wednesday, March 6, is the last day to register to vote in the April 2 election. Property owners within the Rolling Hills district do not pay taxes for St. Joseph Public Library, as property owners only pay a library tax for the districts where they own property.

For more information about the levy issue, visit rhcl.org/levy-info or call Michelle Mears at 816-205-7000.

2024 Adult Winter Reading Challenge

 It should be no surprise that the 2024 Adult Winter Reading Challenge for adults is called Game On! and has a board game theme. After all, we embrace games at the library.

Not only is the winter challenge played with a bingo card, the library offers bingo sessions for adults. Add on the Chess and Checkers Club, game nights for families, scavenger hunts for youths, puzzle races, board game days, escape rooms, a large collection of board games to check out and the biggest game of them all, the Summer Reading Program, and you’ll see that games are in our library DNA.

From Jan. 1-Feb. 29, ages 18 and older can win prizes by reading or listening to four books and tracking their books by using a bingo reading log or by using the online Beanstack app. 

If you read any four books, you will win a deck of playing cards or a puzzle book, a free book or a Books Revisited free book coupon, entry into grand prize drawings for a game-themed gift basket at each branch and an invite to the Belt or Savannah end-of-winter parties.

A reading bingo will earn you an additional box of candy or snack mix. Read all 16 bingo squares for a blackout and you’ll win a travel-size game.

Bingo categories include new author, award winner, biography, board game, historical, retelling, graphic novel, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, new book, romance and any book.

“The Adult Winter Reading Challenge encourages you to read across different genres and outside your comfort zone and to try some things you might not have tried otherwise,” Belt manager Kelly Morris said.

Games are the theme of many library programs in January and February, including:

Chess and Checkers Club – 6 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 4 & 18 and Feb. 1 & 15, Belt. Teens and adults can challenge each other to games and learn new strategies. All skill levels welcome.

Board (BORED?) Games Days – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, and Mondays, Jan. 8 & Feb. 19, Savannah. Drop in to play a variety of games for all ages.

Bingo for Adults – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, Savannah. Bring a white elephant gift for the prize table.

Book Groups – The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer will be reviewed by the Belt’s evening group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16. The Belt’s noon group on Wednesday, Jan. 17, will discuss The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis. Savannah’s 3rd Thursday Book Group members will read books related to games and then discuss them at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18.

Nailed It! – 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, Belt. Teams of 2-4 people will take on a two-part, quasi-culinary challenge: Create a fake food masterpiece then try to recreate an edible version of it. Open to all ages, but at least one adult is needed per team. Register at events.rhcl.org/event/9362377.

Puzzle Races – 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, Belt Upper Story, and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, Savannah. Teams of three to four people (one must be an adult) will try to put together a 300-piece puzzle in the fastest time. Register for the Savannah race at events.rhcl.org/event/9438638. Register for the Belt race at events.rhcl.org/event/9362426.

Game Night at the Library – 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, Belt. 7 Wonders is the featured board game for families, or you can play other board games or bring your mobile device to play Jackbox Games.

But what could be the biggest game for families this winter is Life-Size Candy Land. The drop-in programs will be offered at 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, and 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Belt Upper Story and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 24, at Savannah.