Expansion transforms Sandpoint library

SANDPOINT ­— From an autobiography of Ben Franklin originally passed from the library’s former home in the old post office to the current library 18 years ago, to a movies, music and a smartphone, different media were symbolically passed from one volunteer to the next to a waiting bookcart.

It was a fitting way to celebrate the opening of the newly remodeled Sandpoint branch library, East Bonner County Library District director Ann Nichols told the crowd of more than 200 staff, volunteers and community members packed into the library’s new meeting rooms.

“As libraries have evolved so, too, have the materials that we now offer,” Nichols said as she passed the Franklin autobiography to the first waiting volunteer to kick off the transfer.

The Saturday grand opening celebrates the addition of about 8,000 square feet to the Sandpoint branch library, creating a 30,000-square-foot facility with everything from an expanded and remodeled children’s area, a new teen lounge and maker space, additional tutoring rooms, larger community meeting rooms, comfortable reading and study areas, improved technology access, and new emerging technology offerings including virtual reality and drones.

The $2.7 million expansion project got its start as part of a modest wish — to create a maker space where area youth and community members could create everything from Lego creations to items made on the library’s 3D printer, Nichols said. The library wanted to test the concept but couldn’t find a workable space to rent. Then they learned the property next door might be for sale. It was and library officials quickly made an offer.

Library staff and board members debated a number of different ideas to convert the property into more usable space before deciding to add on to the existing building and use the adjacent property for additional parking and a new community garden.

“All of this is due to all of you,” she told those gathered. “Our community has made this dream come true. It has been amazing to see the generosity and excitement that this project has created. I want to thank you all.”

Being a part of celebrating the library’s expansion is a special treat, said Ann Joslin, state librarian, Idaho Commission for Libraries, as she applauded the community’s dedication to its library system. While the library district is 13th in size of the 103 library jurisdications overseen by the commission, it is the fourth highest in circulation of per capital materials.

“As you have transformed your library, your library transforms people in your community through opportunities for discovering and connections and discovering through lifelong learning,” Joslin said.

It is remarkable, she added, that after only 18 years, the library had original outgrown the original building and needed to expand.

“From that old post office building to today, that journey reflects the high value that this community places on this library, its staff and its services,” said Joslin.

Brandon Spry, who represented the project’s general contractor, Hayden-based Northcon, Inc., said that as soon as they heard about the project, they knew they wanted to put a bid in. Not only because it was a chance to work on a project in their own backyard but because it was a chance to be part of a project that would bring something meaningful to the community.

“Sandpoint is a very tight-knit community and this library is a staple in this community as evidenced by the number of people who come in the doors on a daily basis,” said Spry, Northcon’s regional operations manager for the western United States. “There is a real family atmosphere, which is exactly what we wanted to build here. We hope you like the finished product and the continued positive impact that this facility and the people inside this facility have on this community and the young men and women of this community.”

The amazing transformation of the library represents more than just the building. It is also what it represents, Jeanine Asche, chairperson of the library district’s board of trustees, said.

It is the democracy of which libraries are a cornerstone with their free and uncensored information, access to knowledge and opportunities for civic engagement. It is the literacy to which libraries are dedicated, from the expanded children’s area and new teen room to additional meeting space and tutoring facilities.

“When I look at this building, I also see our community,” Asche said. “This expansion is the embodiment of support, from monetary and volunteer time donations, both large and small, from individual as well as community organizations, both large and small. And I believe you can judge a community by how it supports its library. And looking at this library, it is well evident that our community is truly great.”

Like Spry, architect Marcus Valentine of Architects West, Inc., said there was never a doubt he would bid to work on the project.

Valentine, who grew up near Priest River, told the crowd that when he graduated from high school he’d gotten a scholarship from the Rotary Club that helped fund his education at the University of Idaho to become an architect. He was told to come back at some point and share some of the things he’d designed. Pausing, he grinned and gestured around the room, “Well, here you go.”

The crowd roared with laughter.

On a more serious note, he said he always jumps at the chance to do projects like the Your Library Transformation project.

“A library project is one of the few projects, a little bit like a church in this regard, that touches everybody in the community. It doesn’t matter how big you are or how small you are, how old you are, there’s something in a library for everybody,” Valentine said, emphasizing the last few words. “It is really a community thing and those are the kinds of projects that are really gratifying.”

As she wrapped up the program, Nichols told the crowd she was relieved to let them know that the $700,000 goal to fund the remainder of the project not covered through savings had been met. She thanked the community, the library’s volunteers and the staff for making what was once a dream into a reality.

“A project this large takes a lot of people to be successful,” she said.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.