Sandpoint Library expansion announced
The atrium at the Sand-point branch of Bonner County Library, which was built in 2000. —Photo by LYNNE HALEY
—Photo by LYNNE HALEY Between computer stations and book stacks, it’s a tight squeeze at the library in Sandpoint.
-- Photo by Lynne Haley View of the existing Bonner County Library at 1407 Cedar St. in Sandpoint.
SANDPOINT — Rapidly changing national trends are the impetus behind plans for a major expansion at the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library District.
The $3 million expansion, slated to get underway in spring 2017, will consist of a two-story addition on the southeast end of the existing building and a single-story addition on the northwest end, totaling 10,000 square feet of added floor space.
Expansion plans call for some reorganization of the existing 30,000 square feet as well. The reconfigured library will have a central technology sector plus room for more books, a new Young Adult section, expanded community rooms and makerspace.
“Makerspaces ... are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather to create, invent and learn. In libraries they often have 3-D printers, software, craft and hardware supplies, and tools,” according to the Open Education Database.
National trends in library services have changed considerably since the original building was completed in 2000, said Library Director Ann Nichols. Patrons expect their libraries to keep pace with technological innovations as well as providing makerspaces and programs that enhance their local economies.
The library in Sandpoint participates in the statewide Make It at the Library program with separate sessions for 'tweens and teens. It is among the facility's most popular offerings, said Marcy Timblin, the library's public relations and marketing specialist.
“Some people may wonder about our emphasis on makerspaces. There's such a desire for that in the community. We provide a space where people can explore those crafts that they aren't learning at home anymore, along with the family and social connections that go with it," said Timblin.
Traditionally, for example, patrons would go to the library and check out a book on how to quilt. Now, people go to the library to meet with a group of people and make quilts, she said.
"Our ultimate goal is that people will discover a marketable skill or talent, so they'll stay in the community," Timblin said. "Libraries are transforming. They will always be about books, but they're also about the people they serve."
The facility opens its meeting rooms to the community, too, free of charge. As a result, space is at a premium.
“Today, our makerspace programs and community development initiatives have reached capacity in the physical space we have. Our social spaces are encroaching on our quiet spaces, and our professional meeting rooms are being shared with our maker space programs,” said Nichols.
The current facility does not even have any space to spare for more books, said Timblin.
Along with the addition of interior square footage, East Bonner County Library District is considering adding green space and parking on the lot it purchased in 2014, which adjoins the Sandpoint library. Ideally, it would sell the buildings currently on the property to people willing to move them somewhere else, Timblin said.
Of course, such expansion is costly, but the good news for taxpayers is that funding is already in place.
“The proposed expansion is expected to be funded by grassroots efforts, including the sale of the two buildings owned by the library district, grants, fund raising initiatives and existing funds earmarked for the building project. The Sandpoint Friends of the Library, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has sponsored a matching donations initiative for the last two years in anticipation of the project,” Timblin wrote in a press release.
“We do not foresee, nor do we desire to float another bond to fund this project,” affirmed Nichols.
What's more, no new staffing is likely to be necessary once expansion is complete. This is due to the efficiency of current staff and the help the library receives from volunteers.
"We have the most amazing volunteer services in the world," Timblin said.
The expansion project is currently in its initial stages, and the library district is actively seeking public input. It encourages patrons to drop by the library and speak with any staff member or post comments on the library's Facebook page. Library personnel plan to reach out to various community groups in the coming months, too.
“We have already scheduled focus groups to steer the project design in the direction that will be most beneficial for Bonner County residents,” said Nichols. “This will be an ongoing process during the design phase.”
Recently, four young adult focus groups provided input on designing age-appropriate space. Suggestions included installing white boards where teens could draw and write as well as establishing a mentor program to help students explore various careers.
"There's really nowhere for young adults to be right now. We do have a responsibility to provide a place for that age group," Timblin said.
So far, the library district has hired Coeur d'Alene-based Architects West Inc. to help it work through the planning stages. The next task will be presenting the project plan to the Sandpoint City Council for approval in early April. AWI expects to finalize plans by the end of this year, allowing the library to seek construction bids early in 2017, the news release said.
Library district staff will provide regular status updates to the community as the Sandpoint project goes forward.