True or False?

By Sarah Marshall

Before you vote on the ballot question regarding the Jones Library expansion and renovation project, you might want to check your understanding of some of the issues that have been swirling this fall. Early voting begins on Monday, Oct. 25. Vote “Yes” if you want the library project to proceed, or vote “No” if you want to cancel the project.

#1 The Jones Library expansion and renovation project will increase our taxes. True or False? Click for the answer.

#2 The Town can’t afford to take on $36 million in debt. True or False? Click for the answer.

#3 We could save a lot of money by only making necessary repairs. True or False? Click for the answer.

#4 We don’t need to enlarge the Jones Library because we can refuse to let college and university students in – we will tell them to stay in their own libraries. True or False? Click for the answer.

#5 We don’t need a Teen room because we can refuse to let high school students in – we will send them to the school library. True or False? Click for the answer.

#6 We can reject this project, re-do the plans, and then get another MBLC grant. True or False? Click for the answer.

#7 This huge new building, plus all the debris generated during construction, will be a climate disaster. True or False? Click for the answer.

#8 A new school is more important than an expanded library. True or False? Click for the answer.

#9 Branch libraries will have to close. True or False? Click for the answer.

#10 Town Meeting voted against this project. True or False? Click for the answer.

#11 The beautiful, historic building will be ruined. True or False? Click for the answer.

#12 We weren’t consulted. True or False? Click for the answer.

#13 The proposed library is too big for our small town. True or False? Click for the answer.

#14 It looks like the cost has already changed from $35 to $36 million. True or False? Click for the answer.

How did you do? Well, we hope. Ignore the dark rumors and wild predictions. If you haven’t yet read our Town Councilors’ reasons for voting as they did, you can read excerpts of their remarks or their complete statements. You can find key resources about the library building project under the Town Government 101 page in our menu.