Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Comment: The Library building is fine! It looks good. Why not keep it?

In July, the Board of Trustees decided to pursue new construction only. The order-of-magnitude cost estimates of the renovation-and-addition versus new construction showed that renovation actually cost more due to project phasing and moving expenses. The summary of the issues considered in making this decision are summarized on the final page of the July presentation.

That summary includes many of the problems with the existing building. While it looks good on the surface, it's deficiencies are numerous when you take a closer look. The 2012 Building Evaluation enumerates the extensive repair and replacement needs to continue operating this building in the long term, as at nearly 25 years old, nearly every system is at or beyond its expected useful life. The study shows only the building systems and does not address its deficiencies for providing 21st century library service. The Library Board of Trustees have determined that the most cost-effective long term solution is new construction on the current site, with the inclusion of at least two additional properties.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Placemakers and Landmarks

Check out this great article in Library Journal about the New Landmark Libraries 2015 winners! It highlights the trends found among the winners that demonstrate the new norms of 21st century libraries. The article states:

“The 2015 trends foreground the value public libraries are providing to their communities in the 21st century and illustrate how libraries are out in front as investors in community development and health. The visibility our Landmarks achieve enables each library (and its staff, services, and collections) to connect to the neighborhood, the town or city, and its surroundings in ways that truly celebrate what a difference access to information can make in people’s lives. We’ve identified nine additional trends from this year’s competition that further the concept of what a public library is or can be in today’s society.”

The nine trends are:
1) Libraries are their communities
2) Productive partnerships
3) Libraries as placemakers
4) Creative culture catalysts
5) Aspirational and accessible
6) Libraries breathe and grow
7) Transparent and light-filled
8) Connected to the environment
9) Boundless

These are the very things we are trying to achieve for the Plainfield community! Visit the Building & Expansion Planning web page to learn about the planning process!