LIBRARY: More twists and turns than a complicated spy novel

The more-than-a-decade-long saga over where the new library should be located continues.
Last year, the board changed its mind about building on an "in-town site," said the library was definitely going to build at the Ways Lane site that the board bought 15 years ago, and took the five-acre Ways Lane lot off the real-estate market.
But at their July 21 meeting, they voted to work with the borough to investigate purchasing the Weinstein site, which is just down the block from the current library. (It's named for the former Weinstein plumbing store.)
Board vice president Geoff Birkett acknowledged that the change would be perceived by the public as "flip-flopping," but "it's flip-flopping because of external influences." The board will obtain bids to have the Ways Lane site and the Weinstein site appraised and said they think the current library site would sell readily because of its desirable location in the middle of town.
The Weinstein site, which was rejected by two past library boards because of lack of parking, would accommodate a two-story library with underground parking.
What has changed?
Board president Susan Mackey-Kallis said there is the possibility of more parking and grant funding. She said if the Weinstein deal comes to fruition, the board would sell the Ways Lane site and the library's current site.
But can the library board raise the money for a new library, no matter where it is located?
The board had on its meeting agenda "Feasibility Study Results" but did not discuss the results. The study was conducted by MacIntyre Associates to assess the public's attitude toward the library and to determine how much money the board could raise.
Also at the meeting, the board welcomed Jeff Yetter and Bill McLachlan, the board members whom Kennett Township recently appointed. Kennett Township also removed its sitting member, Rosa Quintana, in favor of the two gentlemen, but the board appointed her immediately as an at-large member. The board also voted to approve Chris Britt of Kennett Township as an at-large member.