Project History and Updates
August 2018 – City Council asked the Library Director and community club to start looking into the possibility of a new library and community center.
September – October 2018 – Library staff visited libraries in nine communities for ideas.
October 2018 – Library applies for and receives a grant from the State Library of Iowa for a space needs assessment.
December 2018 – Slater Community Club donates $150,000 as seed money for the project.
February 2019 – Space needs assessment completed and presented to the library board and city.
March 2019 – City gives go ahead to form a building committee and start looking into architects.
April 2019 – City decides on 405 Main Street location.
May 2019 – Building committee meets for the first time and RFPs are sent to architects.
August 2019 – Architects are interviewed and FEH Design is hired.
September 2019 –Preliminary meetings with FEH.
November 2019 – Design Workshops are held at City Hall.
December 2019 – Floor plans and exterior elevation displayed at Christmas on Main.
January 2020 – Building is projected to cost $5.8 Million. The building committee begins work on sponsorship information and fundraising materials.
March 2020 – Project is paused due to pandemic.
January 2021 – Committee resumes grant research and fundraising efforts.
June 2021 – Start scheduling meetings and presentations with the community and local businesses.
May 2022 – Grant information is released from the State of Iowa prompting a look at other sources of funding to meet grant qualifications requiring 50-60% of funding to apply.
June 2022 – Fundraising efforts reach $1.4 million.
July 2022 – Slater City Council votes to approve a special election in September for a bond of $2.5 million to aid in grant writing for the project with an updated estimated cost of $7.6 million.
September 2022 – Bond vote does not pass. 52% approval received, when 60% is required.
August 2023 – Slater City Council votes to proceed with the building project by placing a bond referendum for $2.5 million dollars on the November ballot.
September 2023 – Fundraising efforts reach $1.7 million.
November 2023 - Bond vote does not pass. 55% approval received, when 60% is required. Fundraising continues.
