“It has drainage problems. Moisture and humidity problems. The temperature control – we can’t keep that comfortable for people, and obviously moisture is a real problem in a library because of mildew, so we really can’t put collections down there right now,” said Kristi Hale, library director.
The bond issue, which would cost $63 annually for a $100,000 home, would also cover the cost of a complete technology upgrade.
The library was built in 1938, with construction work again in 1964, 1972 and 1983.
“Computers were not used then, and so we need to bring everything up to the state of today’s standards,” Hale said.
The library recently hosted live penguins for a children’s program, and 240 children came out to the library to see them, said Josh Lounsbury, Board of Trustees vice president. The waiting list had 60 more children.
“When the 1983 addition was built, the children’s area in the upstairs had a pit that came down into the basement area, which means that the ceiling height in different portions of the basement are so low that they can’t be used for patrons or books,” Lounsbury said.
By demolishing, rebuilding and expanding the back of the building, leaders hope to accommodate more people and host more programs by creating larger children’s, teens’ and meeting areas. They also hope to make the library more inviting by installing more windows and back entrance to let in more natural light.
Talk of renovating the library has gone on for years, Lounsbury said. However, results from a 2014 community survey helped the library to move the process forward.
“They want more materials. They want more space, more flexible space for meeting — a bigger children’s area, a bigger teen area,” Lounsbury said.
The historic front portion of the library would be preserved, Hale said.
“It is right in the heart of Oakwood. It’s a central community gathering place. It’s been here since 1938 when the first and only levy that has ever been asked for a capital campaign was done in 1937,” Lounsbury said. “It’s time for the library to catch up with the modern trends and become an up-to-date library and provide Oakwood students and Oakwood residents the services that they deserve and that they need.”
Library leaders would seek community input to create a design for the library’s interior, should the issue pass.
Construction would be expected to begin in sometime in 2017, with a goal of reopening in spring 2018, Hale said.
“The most economical way and the fastest way to do that would be to move library operations to a temporary site,” Hale explained.
The library will host bond levy information sessions on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as well as on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
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