A public library is a mandatory staple for a town. Beyond providing free books, movies, music and Internet access, it also works as a safe haven, a welcoming place or a quiet space.

The Natrona County Public Library has all the amenities of a modern facility, but it needs a larger space.

In the lengthy process of developing a plan, designing a building and finding a new home that's not landlocked as it is now the library is asking the Casper City Council for $200,000.

Library director Bill Nelson said library officials first approached the Natrona County Commission, and was told there were no extra funds available.

"Because of the courthouse, we are really pretty strapped for cash," said Rob Hendry, the commission chairman. "For the most part, the commission likes the idea of having a nice, new library, it's just that we don't have any cash to help."

The $200,000 would help prepare a detailed design of the new building. This will hopefully give Natrona County residents an idea of what the new library will look like be before a potential sixth-cent sales tax election in November, Nelson said.

It's not yet a guarantee that there will be an extra penny sales tax referendum, but Nelson said he and the library board believe that may be the best way to finance a new library.

The library doesn't have enough reserves to help pay either the $200,000 for the design or the projected $30 million for the new building. Nelson said they already cut back on some programs. Library officials are also using the summer book sale and donations to initially move the project forward.

Library officials are looking at two or three possible locations. Even though Nelson couldn't give an exact location yet, he did say one of the options is in the Old Yellowstone District, an area between downtown and Poplar Street slated for redevelopment.

That location makes the city a likely candidate for help, Nelson said, since the city is interested in redeveloping the district, and a library could be an excellent anchor for more growth.

Despite its possible location, there are mixed feelings among Casper City Council members over financial support for the project.

Councilman Guy Padgett said the library is an entity that serves the whole community, not just the county, and this "would demonstrate to everyone the need to expand the library and have a community dialogue on it."

He also wants the library to stay in the core, and helping fund the designs as well as waive some of the city fees might be a way to keep it in the center of Casper.

Councilman Maury Daubin agrees that waiving fees would be a possibility, but he is hesitant to immediately commit to $200,000 from the city.

He said the city is facing a number of projects, including water line breaks and sidewalk and sewer replacements. Even though a new library would be nice, it's not the most pressing financial city concern, Daubin said.

The city council hasn't yet discussed the library's proposal at a formal meeting, and Daubin said he may be more inclined to help financially if it were a loan that could be recaptured in the future.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 christine.robinson@trib.com