This design is the result of several months of re-drafting the library expansion plan to conform to the input we have received from public forums, one-on-one meetings with community leaders, and fundraising research. We listened, reviewed the objectives, and listened some more. We carefully considered whether or not the time was right for fundraising and whether we could accomplish our objectives for an expansion project that would serve the community for the next 15-20 years. We are confident that we have such a project.
Besides the need to expand for about 15-20 years of growth, we determined that to be successful we needed to fulfill these objectives:
- Maintain the original 1904 façade, as it was re-designed for the 1940 addition.
- Keep the 1940 façade facing Sixth Street, thereby saving the entire 1904-1940 sections of the library building.
- Keep as much of the 1984 addition as possible, while correcting the deficiencies that have become apparent during the past 25 years of use.
- Construct an addition over the 7,000 sq. ft. section of the 1984 addition that was engineered to accept a second story, and expand into the vacant lot that used to have the Strand Paint building.
- Provide enough space for collection growth as well as more seating and study tables, especially within the youth services area.
- Significantly expand the area for young adults (currently divided between the APL Zone and the children’s area).
- Separate the youth services functions from the general library area.
- Provide more meeting spaces for local organizations and library programs.
- Provide a garage for safe loading and egress of the bookmobile.
- Open up the public areas for better visibility, comfort, and wheelchair accessibility.
- Provide for staff work areas adjacent to their areas of public service.
- Keep operational costs down to a standard as close to current level as possible.
The result is a beautiful building that melds past, present, and future with a well-designed floor plan for both adult and children’s services.
The floor plan, artist renderings, and other related information are available online at www.amespubliclibrary.org/building.asp.
The estimated project cost for the proposed library expansion is under $20 million. The funding will be a “public-private” partnership, with much of the cost (about $15 million) funded by bonds and the remainder by philanthropic donations. We estimate that the bond will cost homeowners less than $30 a year per $100,000 assessed value. We will be working toward a bond vote in the city-wide election this coming November.
If you have any questions about the design, the floor plan, or the project in general please post them here!
4 comments:
When will building start?
What will be done with the open land where the building west of the library was torn down?
Before construction begins, the Library Board must raise money for the project. A referendum for the necessary bonds is tentatively planned for November. Upon voter approval--and a successful fund drive--groundbreaking could begin as early as the summer of 2012.
The land west of the library building, currently a "rain garden," will be a major part of the library expansion. A two-story addition will be built on this lot as part of the library.
Thank you for your questions! Please let us know if any other questions or comments come to mind.
What has taken so long? These plans have been discussed for over six years!! What makes you think the votes will support you now?
Thank you for your question. For readers who haven’t followed this process from the beginning, here is a short history of the expansion project:
An expansion of Ames Public Library has been under consideration since the early 2000s, but planning began in earnest after a change in library administration in 2006. Two building concepts were presented to the public in 2009, one of which would have moved the library to another location. Both plans were substantially larger in scope than the current plan, and neither held much favor with the public.
After much consideration, a new plan was studied that would keep the library at its current location; preserve the historic value of prior additions to the library; and maintain the objectives of expansion, security, and energy efficiency. A study of the community that was begun in the spring of 2010 indicated that the citizens of Ames were likely to support $20 million for the project, provided some of that sum was raised philanthropically. This past February, that plan was presented to the City Council.
As you note, it has been a long process. We have taken the time to hold tours and many public forums and integrate feedback into the expansion plan. While the process may seem overly deliberative, we feel that it is important to listen to the community and encourage active participation. This is *your* library.
If you are interested in getting involved with the project, please give us a call or send a message at www.amespubliclibrary.org/aboutLibrary/ContactUs.asp.
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