The purpose of this policy is to govern the selection and purchase of land for public library facilities as well as facilities for support and administrative activities. This policy will:

• Describe the criteria for the selection of appropriate sites for library facilities, and
• Describe the process used to purchase land for library facilities.

It is the intent of Sno-Isle Libraries (the Library) to provide library facilities that allot an equitable level of library service throughout the entire Library District. For the purpose of this policy, site selection refers to the process of seeking out potential properties to be considered for possible acquisition and purchase refers to the acquisition of real property. Sno-Isle Libraries procedures for handling the site selection, acquisition of land, and administration of jointly owned properties shall include:

• SITE SELECTION:

  When selecting a location for a new public library facility, the following criteria will be used to evaluate the suitability of the site:

  • Projected library services demand within geographic area
  • Site capacity
  • Accessibility (public transportation, pedestrian, and automobile)
  • Visibility
  • Neighborhood compatibility
  • Space for adequate parking
  • Cost factors (land costs, building costs, site development costs)
  • Demographic patterns
  • Community preference
  • Potential community partnerships

• LAND ACQUISITION:

  When a site(s) has been identified for possible purchase, the following steps will be followed:

  • Library staff will review the site(s) identified for possible purchase with the Systems Services Committee.
  • Library staff prior to negotiating a purchase and sale agreement with the property owner(s) and / or their representative(s) will meet with Board of Trustees, in Executive Session (when public knowledge regarding the Board considerations would cause a likelihood of increased price), to discuss
  budget, possible conditions / contingencies regarding the draft purchase and sale agreement.
  • Capital facilities planning extends over a period of many years, and with this foresight, the Sno-Isle Libraries may be evaluating sites for future libraries well in advance of community readiness to fund the construction of a new library. In such a case, when the site selection process reveals a pattern of rising land costs and decreasing land supply in a particular target area, the Library staff (with the authorization of the Board of Trustees) may purchase options for the future purchase of desirable properties. With the approval of the Board, an option may be exercised / extended at an appropriate time or, if conditions change, it may be allowed to expire.
  • The final purchase and sale agreement negotiated with the property owner(s) and / or their representative(s) will be contingent upon approval by the Board of Trustees at a scheduled Board meeting in public session.

• JOINTLY OWNED PROPERTIES

  When the Library shares ownership of properties with another agency(ies), the same site selection and land acquisition procedures are followed. However, prior to acquisition, a memorandum of understanding between the parties defining each party's responsibility and authority will be executed.

This policy will be implemented by the Executive Director.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees October 22, 2007
Revised: September 24, 2012