08.a3 Lilleskogen Park Little Library
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: February 21, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant
Re: PRC Recommendation to install a Water Tower Barn Little Library in
Lilleskogen Park
Issue: The Marine Library would like Scandia to install a Little Library structure in
Lilleskogen Park. This structure would be donated, and constructed to
closely resemble the Water Tower Barn at the future Scandia Arts and
Heritage Center.
Background: Greg Zauner followed up with Jim Maher, President of the Marine Library
Association, and Loralee Di Lorenzo a concept considered a few years back
to install a Little Library in Lilleskogen Park with children’s books. Loralee’s
father volunteered to create a miniature Water Tower Barn as the shape
for this Little Library to be donated if Scandia will install this in the park.
Marine Library will maintain the books inside of the structure.
The potential cost to the City is $150 or less. This includes the $40 fee to
register on the official Little Library website and official name plate, $35
for the pressure treated mounting post, and a polycarbonate sheet (size
and price undetermined until construction.) Public Works Director,
Charles Fischer, believes this can be installed close to the pavement in a
way to make fully assessable and supports this project. Zauner suggests
deferring final installation location to Fischer.
Zauner has not yet exhausted other potential avenues for donations to
cover all, or part of, these expenses. PRC recommends committing to
Marine Library, understanding that the direct expense to Scandia will not
exceed $150, so that the process of building this Little Library structure
may begin in March.
Fiscal Impact: Public Works Department would install this Little Library and the City
provide up to $150 for supplies and registration fees into the Little Library
system if additional donations are not located. The Parks General Fund
can support the associated costs.
Options:
1. Notify Marine Library that the City of Scandia will install a Little Library stand in Lilleskogen
Park, designed to resemble the Water Tower Barn to be located at the future Scandia Arts
and Heritage Center, at a direct cost of $150 or less at the exact position to be
recommended by the Director of Public Works.
2. Do not plan to install a Little Library stand in Lilleskogen Park.
Recommendation: #1, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Committee