Long range planning for the Jefferson public library was the purpose of community forums held Tuesday in the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
Library director Jane Millard introduced library consultant George Lawson. Lawson served as a reference librarian and then director of the Ames public library before becoming a library planning consultant. He has done planning studies for more than 500 libraries in 14 states.
His work for the Jefferson library is funded by a grant from the State Library of Iowa.
Prior to the community forums, Lawson toured the library and met with the staff, the board of trustees and the Friends of the Library. The purpose of his study is to make recommendations about the amount of space needed and the best use of space, now and in the future, to deliver library services, house the library’s collections, and offer educational programs. His final report will include a review of ADA compliance.
Close to 50 persons attended the two sessions. Lawson elicited comments about the buildings and how they’re used. He started reminding people that “buildings are a means to an end. What’s important is what’s inside.”
Afternoon attendees seemed to agree that the east portion – the Carnegie library built in 1904 – has charm but is very cramped for the wide variety of children’s programming. They don’t feel the same attachment to the adult library, built in 1966 and attached to the original portion by a common entryway.
Attendees would like to see spaces that would serve well for quiet, individual research or reading; spaces for small to medium-sized groups, and at least one large meeting room.
Lawson has done planning for libraries ranging in size from the Churdan library to the 110,000 square-foot library in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He said the reason for library expansions is not to have room for more books, but to have more spaces for people to gather and participate in programs.
He also shared information from a Pew Research Center study that showed that more than any other age group, teens prefer reading hard copy books rather than digital copies.
According to library director Millard, there is no immediate plan for a major library renovation or construction project. Both the 1904 and the 1966 buildings are in good shape, she said, and credited the Jefferson city councils over the years for keeping building maintenance a priority.
Should a major project form on the horizon, the library trustees and staff would be expected by patrons and taxpayers to have taken a thorough look at all options. This study provides that, Millard explained.
“We received a whole array of ideas that will be helpful to us in the planning process. It was very gratifying to have this level of interest in how the library may grow and change in the coming years,” Millard said Wednesday.
