03-19-1991 LIB MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Library Board Presentation Page 2 September 30, 1992 ------------------ After analyzing all of the short term and long term issues relating to library space needs, the Library Board concluded that expansion on its existing site was the most practical, reasonable, and cost effective solution to their space needs problem. After reviewing the report, the conclusion appears to be sound, but the money needed for a building expansion must be justified and therefore the need for additional space must also be justified. NEED FOR MORE SPACE Pages 5 and 6 of the report displays the growth in the circulation at the library. This growth helps to show the need for additional space. The growth in circulation at the library the first ten years of its operation was very dramatic. The growth since 1983 has been less dramatic and shows a shifting use of the library by the public. This lower growth also reflects the changing technology of libraries. Another indication of the need for more library space can be seen in the general growth of the community and surrounding area. When the original library space was constructed twenty years ago, the population of the area was very small, but the space was planned to last the community for a long time. It now appears that it is time to provide additional space to meet the needs of our growing population. TYPE AND AMOUNT OF LIBRARY SPACE THAT IS NEEDED Regarding how much space is needed, the review Pages 10 and 11. Please not guidelines listed on these pages are very to overstate the amount of additional based on our population. These guidelines Great River Regional Library. City Council should e that the planning generous and appear space that is needed are provided by the How much additional space is needed is also reviewed on Page 15 and, again, the guidelines are very generous and somewhat overstated. The report shows that the largest need is in the "main stacks and reading" area and this conclusion was also the consensus of the Library Board. The summary of the report indicates that approximately 4200 square feet of expansion space is needed (and can be built on the existing site) and that this expansion can meet the City's needs for approximately 15 to 20 years. However, strictly following the guidelines on Page 15 would indicate that by the time the library expansion was completed in 1995, the City would then have to think about adding more space. In fact, based on the guidelines, within 15 or 20 years, the City would need almost twice the amount of expansion than what is proposed in this report. However, the guidelines are generous and it is the belief of the Library Board that a 4200 square foot addition should be sufficient for the long term library needs.