New Library Project

Seven Arguements for Building New Libraries

psglib — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:24:12 +0000

An interesting commentary on why communities should invest in new libraries from Jamie Larue, director of Douglas County Libraries:

Argument #1 – The library is an anchor store and traffic generator. Libraries pull a cross-section of the public, all ages, all day long, through our doors. We are the business that (at least in most communities) never goes out of business. In fact, in a down economy, library use goes UP. You want your business to be by a library. If you’re planning a development, you want the liveliness of a public building in the heart of it.

Argument #2 – Library construction is a powerful economic stimulus, esp. in a recession. People often overlook that a public construction project employs architects, general contractors, local tradespeople, local suppliers, and so on, which in turn generates sales for local restaurants, gas stations, etc.

Argument #3 – Library buildings are a bridge over the digital divide. Libraries are about access, and our record of allowing digitally disadvantaged people – poor, young, elderly, etc. – to use public technology to bootstrap themselves out of technological ghettos is real.

Argument #4 – The Internet encourages, not replaces, library use. Every time we add more Internet terminals, the use of everything else goes UP – more books checked out, more browsing, more magazines read, more reference questions, more program attendance. There’s a lot of data about this (see the Library Research Service).

Argument #5 – Library buildings foster community, both through providing meeting space and lifelong learning programming. Genetically, socially, we are wired for interaction. Libraries serve the role of both common and neutral ground.

Argument #6 – Library buildings manifest and reinforce a statement of community values. The library is a tangible sign of a community’s commitment to individual inquiry, a safety net for the young and old, a secular sanctuary for people who need public space either for public contact or for private pondering. I remember pondering this comment from a member of the Greatest Generation: “In my day, we lived in modest homes, but built significant public monuments. These days, we live in palaces, and build government buildings out of split-face concrete.”

Argument #7 – Library buildings are an investment in our children’s brains. The children’s storytime – featuring real live people from your own community – is our nation’s single most potent strategy for sowing literacy in the land. The library is a space where children meet live performers, then are loaded up with materials to further deepen the experience. The presence of location offering trained staff to promote literacy and learning through readers advisor work, reference work, teaching, adds a resource to a community that not only employs local people today, but helps raise people who are employable tomorrow.

What else do library buildings do?

KFSK reports on new library project

psglib — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:55:06 +0000

On Monday KFSK’s Matt Lichtenstein reported on last Thursday’s meeting with the architect for the new library, Paul Voelckers. Click here to listen to the full story on KFSK’s website.

Did you miss the meeting?

psglib — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:38:14 +0000

You can read the meeting minutes or listen to a recording of the meeting on the City’s website, click here

New schematic drawing is now available

psglib — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:50 +0000

Click here to view the updated floor plan that will be discussed at Thursday night’s meeting. If you can’t make the meeting we’d still love to hear what you think – call (772-3349), email(library@ci.petersburg.ak.us) or drop by the library.

Library Building Committee/Library Board Work Session

psglib — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:03:10 +0000

Thursday, November 5, 7:00 pm – City Council Chambers

The architect for the new library project, Paul Voelckers (MRV Architects), will present the most recent schematic drawings of the new library and take comments. The public is encouraged to attend.

Alaska Library Construction Grants – Draft Regulations Published

psglib — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:19:13 +0000

The State of Alaska has released draft regulations for a grant program that could have a major impact on the new library project. The Library Construction and Major Expansion Matching Grant Program is a program that could fund up to 50% of the cost of a new library facility. While the State has not yet funded this grant program, the development of these regulations is an important step in that process. The proposed regulations for the program can be seen here:

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/pub/LibraryContructionGrantRegulations.pdf

Comments can be sent to Gail Dabaluz (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development) at gail.dabaluz@alaska.gov. The comment period closes September 4^th, 2009.

Fine tuning the floor plan

psglib — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:03:01 +0000

Currently library staff are working with the project architects to fine tune the internal workings of the new library. We are considering questions such as: Is there enough space for our collections to expand by at least 20%? Does the layout of the children’s area allow for children’s activities to take place? Is there ample space for our community’s teens?

CLICK HERE to view the updated floor plan for the new library. Call us at 772-3349, email us at libdir@ci.petersburg.ak.us or drop by the library to if you have comments or questions.

An important gift to the community

psglib — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:00:26 +0000

The Eldor and Polly Lee family have given an important gift to the community which commemorates the hundredth anniversary of Petersburg next year. They have donated the property on Hammer Slough where Eldor was born to the City for the Public Library, which will be called “Centennial Park”. This property is right below the proposed site for the new Petersburg library, and will create a park and trail to the Slough below. It extends the footprint of the library property, and the value of this land donation can be calculated in when foundations formulate matching grants. This is an invaluable step towards realizing the goal of a new library.

~excerpt from a speech given by Julie Hursey, Library Board President, at the May 18th, 2009 Little Norway Pageant

Eldor & Polly Lee Family Land Donation

psglib — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:45:00 +0000

This Saturday, May 16 the Library Board will be honoring the Eldor & Polly Lee family donation of their Hammer Slough property to the City. The property, which is adjacent to the site of the new library, will be called “Centennial Park”. Everyone is invite to join us in recognizing the Lee family’s generosity by attending either of the events listed below:

2:30 pm – Photograph at the Lee property (Birch Street), Polly Lee will present the deed to Mayor Al Dwyer

3:00 pm- Little Norway Pageant: Julie Hursey, Library Board Chair, will give a short presentation thanking Polly Lee and her family.

If you build it, they will come

psglib — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:11:26 +0000

The new Gerish Branch Library in Girdwood opened in May 2008. The new 9,000 square-foot Library also houses a Community Center, which gives the Girdwood community a much needed public gathering place.

A six-month progress report has found a dramatic rise in circulation, visits and attendance at children’s programs since the new library opened. Learn more about the new Girdwood Library.