Milner library board chooses consultant

The Milner Library Board voted unanimously at a called meeting July 23 to hire Ames and Heid Consultants to develop a building program for the proposed library.Carrie Zeiger, Flint River Regional library system executive director, told the board Ames and Heid was the only firm to answer a request for proposal from the board. Zeiger said she is very familiar with Ames and Heid, since it has developed building programs for a number of Georgia library projects.These include new construction plans for libraries in Douglas, Covington, Tifton, Blue Ridge and Gainesville.Zeiger explained a building program serves as a foundation for architectural design and construction of the library. The consultants’ work includes assurance that all Georgia Library Systems requirements are met, preliminary determination on space needed, how various parts of the building such as a children’s area or computer work stations will be included, windows and how the building will be lighted and environmentally controlled, and many other aspects of library design.The consultants will provide an on-site visit to the location, meeting with the board and a public hearing as part of a $4,500 fee for their work, Zeiger said.’I’m happy with Ames and Heid and I think their price is in line,’ said Zeiger.The public hearing has been set for Aug. 30, time and place to be announced later, according to board chairman George Weldon.The next regular meeting of the library board is Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. at Milner city hall.