Three members of the library board presented the results of their public survey on possible sites for a new library to the city council Thursday.

The group had collected opinions during the Freeborn County Fair and at a table outside of the library.

The most popular idea was that the old high school be refurbished and turned into a library. The open lot on North Broadway was second-most popular, expansion in the current location was third and the soon-to-be-vacant Wal-Mart site in Skyline Mall was fourth.

Other suggestions included the Farmland site, the Vault building downtown, the West Clinic building on West Fountain Street, land at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 90 and two towns in rural Freeborn County.

Kenwood Bertelson of the library board said most of the supporters for the old high school were looking at the project sentimentally and not financially.

City Councilor Randy Erdman said the building is in bad enough shape that it would be a waste to fix up. He recommended that the city open it up for tours so that everyone would be able to see its problems.

Harlan Bang, another library board member, said most people who commented were supporters of building a new library.

The council did not decide which sites would be looked at.

Another possibility added by Councilman Jeff Fjelstad was building the library at the corner of William Street and Elizabeth Avenue.

Other ideas mentioned by the council included the old high school, the North Broadway lot, and expanding into the adjoining building next to city hall.

There is no timeline for the decision on which sites will be studied.

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox @albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)