March 2024

Spooner Memorial Library
Building Expansion Update

Update (March 2024)

We have finalized our preliminary work with our architect, Marco Vincent, from SEH. A final schematic design was curated which includes an exterior design, an interior design with floor plans, and a cost estimate. A Capital Campaign Committee has formed but still needs 1-2 community members. A capital campaign will be forthcoming. The schematic design can be viewed HERE.

Updated Plan

Estimated Square Footage:
8,473 sq ft (Main Floor)
4,770 sq ft (Upstairs above current Children’s Area)
5,210 sq ft (Downstairs below current Children’s Area)
Total estimated square footage: 18,453

Plan:
1. Tear down entire current children’s and adult book wing.
2. Build basement, main floor, and upstairs where current children’s wing stands but expand wing to be 10 feet from sidewalk on all ends.
3. Upstairs will become meeting rooms, a maker space, seating, and program space which will mean this space will not need to be covered by library staff.
4. Basement will be storage and a mechanical room. Toilets and sinks will be plumbed, but the basement will be insulated for future expansion.
5. There will be an elevator for added accessibility. The elevator ends up saving quite a bit of square footage and will make it easier to transport items from floors and provide easier wheelchair and stroller access.
6. The siding on the outside of the library will be replaced with non-rotting material. The hope is that a mural/artwork can be attached to the side of the building.
7. The inside of the newest part of the library will be remodeled, but the break room will not, as it was recently done.
8. The main floor of the library will be dedicated to material space, sitting areas, small study rooms, a used book room, children’s play space, teen space, a lounge, and staff space.
9. The community garden beds will be moved in front of the book mural or into the garden area which will be maintained. The gazebo will be moved to the garden area. The fountain will be dismantled and put back up in a smaller format, location to be determined.
10. There will be two single stall bathrooms on all floors.

Update (October 2023)

We are excited to announce that our feasibility study is over and we now have a plan for the future Spooner Memorial Library building. We are now embarking on schematic planning for the library, including topographic and utility surveys, preliminary demolition plans, building floor plans, ceiling and roof plans, preliminary structural framing concepts, site and landscaping plans, and exterior building elevation work. In the next 12-16 weeks we’ll have design review meetings, a 3-dimensional exterior rendering of the building, an estimate of probable cost, and presentation boards with building plans and 3D images. We anticipate by January 2024, we will be ready to start our capital campaign.

So what is the plan? With a variance in place, the plan is to knock down the entire children’s wing of the library. There is a crack in the wall and ceiling that is monitored closely but serious enough that it cannot be easily fixed. In place of the children’s wing, there will be an expanded two story area with a basement. The basement will be for mechanicals, storage, and staff workspace. The main floor will most likely be the children and teen area. The upstairs will become meeting rooms, study rooms, program space, and a maker space. In place of a costly elevator, there will ramps along the wall parallel to Walnut Street going from the basement to the upper floor. We envision windows along that same wall and throughout the addition. We desire to make the library more accessible, with lower shelving, comfortable seating, and more spaces between shelves. With designated program space, access to library materials during programs would no longer be an issue. We are planning for more storage space that doesn’t require staff to stand on ladders to access and would allow the library to be less cluttered and more inviting. More meeting space and study rooms has been a constant request from the community, and this building plan would provide both. We are excited to be moving forward.

Update (August 21, 2023)

Spooner Memorial Library
DRAFT Future Exterior Layout Plan

The DRAFT exterior plan with photos can be viewed HERE.

Estimated Square Footage:
8,750 sq ft (Main Floor)
4,550 sq ft (Upstairs above current Children’s Area)
4,550 sq ft (Downstairs below current Children’s Area)
-1,560 sq ft for ramp on all 3 floors
Total estimated square footage: 16,290

Plan:
1. Tear down entire current children’s wing.
2. Build basement, main floor, and upstairs where current children’s wing stands but expand wing to be 10 feet from sidewalk on all ends.
3. Upstairs will become meeting rooms, a maker space, and program space which will mean this space will not need to be covered by library staff.
4. Basement will be storage, employee workspace, and a mechanical room.
5. There will not be an elevator. A ramp will be built near the entrance to assist patrons and staff in going upstairs and downstairs. The ramp will use up 1,560 square feet of space, but will cost the library significantly less money to install and mean no yearly maintenance fees or dedicated phone lines.
6. The siding on the outside of the library will be replaced with non-rotting material.
7. The inside of the library will be remodeled, but the break room will not, as it was recently done.
8. The main floor of the library will be dedicated to material space, sitting areas, small study rooms, a used book room, and staff space.
9. The community garden beds will be moved in front of the book mural and the gazebo will be moved to the garden area. The fountain will be dismantled and put back up in a smaller format.
10. There will be two single stall bathrooms on all floors.

Once we have received permission for variance, the Library will move forward with creating a floor plan for the interior of the library.