Library plans taking shape

SANDPOINT -- Although expansion plans for the Sandpoint branch of East Bonner County Library District are still in a liquid phase, the buzz of speculation is beginning to escalate throughout the community, causing staff members to begin their planned outreach activities earlier than expected.

“A lot of people have misconceptions and wonder why the library has chosen to go down this path,” said Jean Asche, chair of the EBCLD board at a special meeting Monday. “We want to speed up the timeline and be more transparent in everything we do, before people start spreading the misconceptions.”

Besides doing community outreach through groups such as the Kiwanis Club, the library board trustees drafted a letter that gives specific information about their decision to remodel the building and how it will fund the project.

“Library trends nationwide have begun to evolve toward larger buildings, community partnerships and an emphasis on experience-based learning. In order to provide expected services, it was determined that EBCL needed to expand,” said board secretary and EBCLD libraries director Ann Nichols in the letter. “Another reason to add onto the existing facility is the need for more book shelf space.”

The expansion will add 20,000 square feet to the existing building, which was built with a 1998 facilities bond. However, library officials have no plans for hiring additional staff.

"That's a cost we don’t know if we could maintain” said Asche.

In fact, library officials will not need to float a bond for the upcoming expansion. Funding will come from existing resources, according to the letter.

“In order to remodel the existing building, the district is using the rest of the money from the sale of the old library (in 2000) as well as capital assets replacement and repair money, and donations.”

According to documents provided by the board of trustees, the grand total of funds available for the construction project is $2,591,875.62.

The adjacent lot, owned by EBCLD, will become a parking lot for patrons. This is a change from the original plan unveiled in March, which called for the sale of the lot and the buildings on it to raise funds for the project.

Marcus Valentine of Architects West in Coeur d’Alene was on hand at Monday's meeting with some drawings he had developed in response to discussions with trustees. The working plan showed added space on each side of the existing building and expansion of the second floor. Everyone gathered around to view the plans. 

Valentine had drawn in a 225-person capacity community meeting room, more space for stacks, a refurbished children’s area including an event room with sliding glass doors. He also sketched in a double-sided fireplace in a living room-style reading area where patrons could enjoy their books, plus space for a teen lounge area.

“We learned from the focus groups that not all teens want the same thing,” said trustee Gloria Ray. “So the space will be flexible.”

Representatives from the Friends of the Library requested that additional storage areas be included in the plan. 

"The need for storage space is not going to go away," they said.

"I think we've come amazingly far," said trustee Gil Beyer as he looked over Valentine's plans.

The architect passed around some illustrations of children's library concepts. These included everything from a classroom-style design to a stylized forest setting.

"Rectangular rooms don’t work best for kids as a learning environment,” he said, explaining why so many of the concepts featured rounded walls and seating areas.

The board agreed it wanted a design that would not become dated a few years in the future. Denise Mills, board bookkeeper, suggested a Sandpoint-style nature theme for the new children's area, featuring trees, water, mountains and wildlife. Others wanted to make sure that the existing children's area mural would transfer to the newly remodeled space.

While no definitive decisions have been made on the design for the project, the board and a newly formed building committee will continue to work with Valentine to fine-tune the plans.

"We're liking the direction Marcus is going with this," Asche said.