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Residents provide input on library expansion
Emily Hill/Staff photo - Residents from the community vote with yellow stickers on what they deemed the most important ideas for the library expansion.
By Emily Hill, ehill@acnpapers.com
LITTLE ELM - Libraries aren't filled with just books these days as technology and programs advance, demanding a need for multi-purpose libraries. Both adults and children spoke their opinions on what they believe their library should be filled with--space.
The Town of Little Elm and Hidell and Associates Architects hosted a public meeting on Tuesday to receive input on the upcoming Little Elm Public Library expansion/renovation in the Town Hall Center. The renovation is estimated to begin next spring.
With the construction of the town's Public Safety Building, the former offices of the police department in the Town Hall Center are freed up for use by the library. This will mean adding 4,383 square feet to the existing library.
The expansion includes renovation to the existing library as well as incorporating additional space within the Town Hall Center. Last year, there were over 66,000 visits to the library, according to town documents.
The $835,000 expansion will double the current library space, allowing for more room for larger book and audiovisual collections, more space for age-specific programming, separate areas for youth and adults, increased computer availability, additional meeting rooms and study areas. Also included is remodeling of the utility billing office and minor work on the second floor for better acoustics.
Hidell and Tony Blaas provided the public with a presentation of a few of the over 200 libraries the company has designed as well as what trends are popular among libraries today. Modern libraries can include open spaces, natural lighting, self-serve points, vibrant colors, mobile displays and flexibility.
At the end of the meeting, attendees were given three yellow dots to vote on which assets they wanted the library to have the most. Out of the many suggestions, the most popular included a multi-purpose meeting room for 20 people with video presentation capabilities, space for teenagers, and a quiet lounge for adults.
David Green, who teaches Introduction to Karate at the library, gave a speech on the importance of the library to the community and the need for the expansion and more accessibility for the handicapped. Green wants to see more space for social gatherings for groups and more parking with safer entries.
"When we are young, we learn to read, but as we grow older into adults, we read to learn," Green said.
Little Elm High School sophomore Rashad Barnes voiced his opinions on including a desire for a teen area. He requested a separate room for studies and homework as well as free tutors.
Experience Works employee Sylvia Micheau, who works with the library, asked for more space for employees. She said the employees must work out in the open area where their work is interrupted by having to make room for library users.
Joe Reilly, or the Conivin' Cowboy, asked for more space as well. One request from the public was an expanded computer area.
Non-themed children areas also are popular in modern libraries. The library is in current need of more space for children. It has had as many as 75 children attend storytime.
"We need to provide an infrastructure that can be manipulated in a minute to capture the interest of children," Hidell said.
One young resident requested a larger gaming center. He said with only one television and game system, there are usually five people waiting for their turn.
"There's no library in the world that has everything. You have to pick and choose, that's why we're here today," Hidell said.
Hidell said collections are getting smaller and the organization of spaces is critical. Technology spaces, meeting rooms, teen spaces and social screens also are popular within libraries.
"How are we going to integrate the library in two areas and maintain the municipalities? That's the biggest challenge," Hidell said.
The Little Elm Friends of the Library has raised approximately $32,000 for the expansion. Funding for this project comes from previously-approved 2009-2014 Recreation and Leisure Bonds.
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