March 24, 2022 at 1:21 p.m.
Library staff expresses space concerns as expansion discussions continue
Library staff expresses space concerns as expansion discussions continue
According to River News archives, an organizational meeting for a building committee to spearhead the proposed expansion was held in late January 2013. The current building committee met again March 17, nine years and two months later, to discuss the current proposal which involves a 3,400 square foot expansion.
Under the agenda topic "discussion" the committee was to prioritize requirements in three areas: timeline, space needs and architect. By the time 75 minutes had gone by, the majority of the discussion had centered on space needs and how to connect with the architect who presented the most recent drawings back in late 2020.
On Nov. 12, 2020, the building committee voted to recommend a proposed contract with architect Peter Bolek to do the preliminary designs for the addition. The board of trustees approved the idea later that same month and Bolek presented drawings for two options to the trustees at their December 10, 2020 meeting.
In the first option presented, the majority of the addition would be to the east side of the building while recapturing the area on the west side where the handicap ramp and entrance were previously located. This concept would also include a drive-up window, a new ADA compliant main entrance, an expanded open area just inside this entrance and an outside children's garden right off an expanded children's area on the lower level, among many things.
The other concept would have the bulk of the addition located on the northwest side of the existing footprint, and would necessitate construction of two floors, which would be more expensive to build. However, there would be no way to incorporate the drive-up window concept. It also lacks the flexibility of the other plan.
In both options, the parking lot would be moved to property to the east that the library district has acquired. Moving the elevator and creating main floor restrooms are also common to both options.
The committee and the board would eventually vote to pursue the first option, but there remained some unanswered questions.
At last week's meeting, committee chair Jan Baer started the discussion by saying she felt the eastward expansion was the best possible solution to the tight lot the building sits on.
"There are reasons not to go north, besides the fact that it would be just adding to the box," Baer said. "And when I say go north, I mean a really big addition to the box."
She said the addition would drastically change the layout of the building. She also cited older patrons and young mothers with either strollers or young toddlers who have a hard time with stairs. This makes the on-grade entrance something that has to become part of whatever final design option the board selects.
"I would like to continue discussion on that particular item," Baer said.
A couple of members of the committee asked why this was even being discussed because "we had already decided," as Walt Gager put it.
"Because so many of us don't seem to be satisfied," Baer replied.
"Our committee has voted on this already," Gager said.
"Well, I would like to confirm that vote," Baer replied. "We can't raise funds if people don't know what we're going to do."
"I move that we do it (vote) one more time, the last time," Gager said.
Dennis Carriere then provided a second to allow discussion on the motion.
Debbie Valine, associate library director, said there are staff members who are concerned that what they consider space necessities are not being taken into account.
"They are really concerned about it because we haven't gotten a set of answers to those concerns," Valine said.
Several members of the committee then indicated they would vote for the eastward option, with Ashley Polinski being the first of several to add a caveat.
"I'm in favor of east if we can get the space we need," Polinski said, adding that it was "premature" to declare the northern option too expensive before all the information was available.
"The cheaper option 10 years ago was to go north, and we got much more space," Polinski said. "And I don't see how that has changed now."
Baer replied that 10 years ago, they didn't own the land to the east that could be used to make the eastward option less expensive.
Mona Tifft, who "has been on this committee from the get-go," also weighed in.
"Back in 2013, we put a lot of heart into it (the plans for expansion)," Tifft said. "And last time he (the architect) gave us the option of a (drive-up) book drop. And I'm still having a hard time making a decision."
Baer said that Bolek may be concerned that the board of directors will not retain him on the project. Others said that shouldn't mean he won't respond to the staff concerns based on his initial work.
Tom Waydick emphasized how keeping the addition on-grade would factor into the cost of the project.
"I've been in favor of going to the east from the beginning because of the elevation changes," he said.
Waydick said the reason the project stalled out was that the library didn't have the necessary money to build or confidence they could raise it.
"I also want to say, we shouldn't spend money to spend money," Waydick added. "If they can't get us what we need, we have to be able to get what we need out of the addition."
Baer said she understands the concerns of the staff about there not being enough space if the expansion goes east. But like 10 years ago, fundraising expectations may not be met by donors.
"Putting an expansion to the east may be our stage one," Baer said.
Gager again pointed out that both the committee and board of trustees had made a decision.
"This is the third time we've voted, I won't vote again," he said.
A little over 10 minutes later, he withdrew his motion, rendering the question moot.
"Enough, that's it," Gager said.
It was then suggested that the committee try to get Bolek to answer questions via email if not in person.
Discussion then turned to the approaching March 31 deadline for applications for a project manager for the project. It was agreed that filling that key position will help get the expansion project organized.
Baer also said that any addition to the library will have a community room where events could be held. Such a space was number one on the poll the library conducted last year.
"That's what we want, what is best for the community and what is best for the library," Baer said. "So, what can we afford?"
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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