Top 10 Reasons to Renovate/Expand Leicester Public Library
Accessibility
Perhaps most importantly, when one argues for the necessity of expansion and renovation, is the lack of ADA compliance/handicapped accessibility. Patrons who cannot climb stairs have no access to the majority of the building.
Wheelchair access is only available in the basement level, which is the children's room. Library staff will happily bring materials downstairs for patrons who cannot climb the stairs, but all patrons deserve equal access to the entire building. These patrons are unavailable to browse the collection independently, which is a privacy issue as well.
Update Infrastructure
An expanded Leicester Public Library would be able to better able to serve the Town of Leicester and our patrons. We do our best to provide 21st century services in a 19th century building.
The library and the community would benefit greatly from an increased space for books and materials (we have 29,000 items, we should have twice that), increased infrastructure (electricity and telecom) and space for more public access computers.
In anticipation of the renovation and expansion, the Town and Trustees have deferred almost $600,000 in Capital Maintenance that will be covered by the project. These repairs will have to be done in the near future, with or without the project. These maintenance projects do not include window replacement or upgrades, or address any ADA accessibility issues.
Quiet Study Space
We have no quiet study rooms. The library is a public space, and a small one at that. While we try to provide quiet space for studying, we are often unable to do so. Staff must interact with patrons verbally, and some legitimate library use, like tutoring, requires some level of noise.
Young Adult Space
We have no dedicated YA space. The library is used daily by middle school and high school students after school. The library should be a quiet study space for those who need it, but it is also a social gathering space for a large number of our patrons: teens, adults, children and seniors.
Younger students have space in the children's room for their use, but young adults/teens do not. It is not fair to this significant portion of our users to choose between a space that is too young for them and a space that is too old. A young adult space, preferably an enclosed one, would best serve these constituents. Teens use the library as a social and collaborative work space, which is not compatible with the level of quiet other patrons expect and are entitled to.
Meeting Space
We have no meeting space, so we cannot hold programs of any size in our own facility. A meeting room would benefit not only the library, but the town would have access free meeting space as well.
Energy Efficiency
The LPL building is 115 years old. It has been well cared for by the Trustees over the generations, but a renovation would greatly increase its energy efficiency. New insulation, windows, and HVAC would greatly improve our energy efficiency, which is important for all citizens, as well as municipal organizations.
Parking
Parking is the number one complaint voiced by patrons in a recent survey of library services. Our current lot has space for 11 cars, and is accessed through a single lane driveway. With our location on busy Rt. 9/Main Street, this can (and does) cause traffic congestion when cars are entering and exiting the driveway at the same time. It can cause traffic to stop on a state highway. It can also cause one driver to have to back up, either onto the state highway, or back down our narrow driveway to allow the opposing car access.
Part of the renovation design plan includes a double driveway and over 40 parking spaces, which will be adequate for staff and patrons alike.
Museum
The library currently houses many pieces of Leicester history, both in paper and bound book form, but also in physical objects in the museum on the 3rd floor. Lack of accessibility and remote location contribute to the underuse of this resource.
Staff Workspace
The LPL currently has very little private space for staff. This means library business is conducted in the open in the library. This can cause a level of noise unacceptable to patrons, and does not offer patrons the opportunity to discuss their library needs/business in private with staff, which is a confidentiality issue. The staff has no space for personal business, meals, or bathroom breaks that are not public knowledge, which can create an uncomfortable working environment.
Grant Availability
We cannot grow to our full potential, we cannot serve Leicester residents with the materials, programs and services they deserve, and that are available in surrounding towns, to neighbors who have taken advantage of expansion/renovation/relocation opportunities. State construction grants are not guaranteed to be available indefinitely, and it would be irresponsible of us not to take advantage of them when they are available.
Planned is an $8.024 million project. Between the state construction grant (4.2 million), a private, anonymous donation (2 million), capital campaign/voluntary local fundraising (1.5 million) and a significant investment in both time and capital by the Library Trustees, including purchasing the land adjacent to the library, how can we not proceed?