Library partnership under review

The City of Irving and North Lake College are currently reviewing their partnership agreement for operation of the North Lake Community Library that they have jointly managed and operated for the past three years.

According to the Irving edition of The Dallas Morning News, NLC owns the library and contributed nearly $10.1 million towards its construction. But the city gave nearly $2 million in bond money that helped pay for the library materials.

This joint venture between NLC and the City of Irving is the first of its kind in the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD). The goal of this endeavor was to foster community interaction while meeting the academic aspects of the library. The library opened on Aug 3, 2002 in a ribbon cutting ceremony with actor James Earl Jones as the guest.

Since then, the college and the city officials have expressed concerns.

“Today, very different business and academic dynamics mandate that this agreement be revisited,” said Janis Browning, director of marketing and public information.

“For the college, the top consideration is meeting the knowledge and research needs of the students and faculty, as well as maintaining the stringent academic standards required to protect the college’s standing and accreditation in the larger academic community.”

Browning further said, “For the city, it is a matter of considering how to best serve the community with strategically located and highly targeted library facilities.”

The Dallas Morning News reported that city officials are reviewing the library costs and its contribution to the needs of the general public.
President Herlinda Martinez Glasscock, told The Dallas Morning News that she hopes officials can reach a revised agreement.

Browning said, “The City of Irving and North Lake College are working together to reach an agreement that will best serve the needs of all concerned.

“City and college leaders are expected to reach a final decision by mid-June.”