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Sunday, May 26, 2013
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Library board hires consultant in hopes of tripling square feet
by Rick DeClue · News · August 03, 2012
Hoping to triple the space of the West Branch Public Library, the library board hired George Lawson of Ames to consult in the selection of an architect, site selection/acquisition, and development of a site-specific design.
West Branch Library Director Nick Shimmin and Library Board President Dan Stevenson announced the next step of the evolving plan at the July 16 City Council meeting.
The Library Board members hope to have the design completed in six months.
Stevenson said Lawson is a former librarian who consulted on more than 200 library projects throughout the Midwest.
Shimmin gave a detailed presentation of all of the service and operational requirements they believe the library needs for the next 20 years. He said the new building would be sustainable, energy efficient and flexible to meet the library’s goals in three main areas:
• Expanded programming space
• Spaces for different uses and age activities, separated to provide comfort for all users
• Better access and staff work space.
Plans could include a wide range of improvements from complete wireless access to a drive-through book drop to coffee service.
Program space would accommodate up to 100 people in a layout that could be divided for smaller groups. Electronic aspects from computer stations to e-reading capacity would be expanded. The library currently belongs to a consortium of libraries for access to e-book titles, and has four e-book readers available for circulation.
All of the elements of the plan as it was presented would require a building nearly three times the size of the existing library — up to 14,000 square feet.
Council member Mark Worrell suggested that space for programming and storage could be located in less-expensive basement space, with appropriate access.
Though Stevenson acknowledged the major step of raising funds is still ahead, he expects good support from foundations dedicated to library development as well as private donations.
The library board’s planning began with a needs assessment in 2005 and development of a long-range plan in 2008. In 2010 the Board identified three potential sites for future development.
Three public forums were held in April to get input from library users to add to staff recommendations. Stevenson said a group of board members also visited three recently expanded libraries in Washington, Williamsburg and Kalona to help in the design plan. These visits cemented the board’s desire to create a new library that will be seen as a community destination.
The existing library was built in 1994, and is at capacity according to Shimmin and Stevenson.
Shimmin has been the director since 2007. Stevenson joined the Library Board in 2010, and has been president for the past year. The 42-page plan presented to the city council can be viewed online or at the library. |
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