ABOUT THE PROJECT
What is the Building Project for Centerville Public Library?
The current library is comprised of 5,000 square feet of library service area on the first floor and 2,500 square feet of unfinished or semi-finished space on the lower level that is used for Story Hour, storage and the Used Bookstore. The bookstore and Story Hour programs share some of the same space and cannot be held at the same time. In addition, the lower level has no source of fresh air and lacks a proper HVAC system.
The plan calls for a Library of 12,200 square feet, containing a highly functional rearrangement of old and new space. The plan is to build an addition of 2,400 square feet on each of the two levels, renovate 3,400 square feet of the current space, and provide a large outdoor patio for special gatherings and regular use. Thirty-five percent of the addition will house accessible restrooms, an elevator, a proper staircase and necessary mechanical space. The main floor addition will include a new reading room to house the collection and allow for more study and gathering space for patrons. The lower level addition will include table and chair storage, a conference room, divisible program space and a more permanent used bookstore.
Why does the Library need to expand?
This project is demand-driven in response to the community need for additional space and programs, handicap access and to add additional technological infrastructure. The building is not in compliance with current building codes. The bathrooms are outdated and inaccessible. There is a lack of space for new books making it necessary to weed out our current collection more than we should. The public rooms are noisy and crowded. We will be able to increase our collection and enable the bookstore to be open more often since the space is often used for story groups and community meetings. Having additional and renovated space will allow the Library to host many of the programs patrons have requested. Those could include health care and financial planning, lectures, musical groups and many more.
The Library builds community in Centerville and this project will enhance the sense of hospitality and friendship in our community that already exists.