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Are people still using our library?
The answer is YES. Today the circulation statistics of the Kokomo-Howard County Library addresses this question:
- In 1964, the number of items circulated at the library totaled 252,558
- In 1984, the number of items circulated increased to 543,231
- In 2004, the number of items circulated continued to rise to 948,096
- By the end of 2006, the number of items circulated will be around 1 million
We need libraries because people are still reading and enjoying it more than ever! Bowker Annual, the reference book that contains book publishing data, states that 49,276 book titles were published in 1992 and ten years later, in 2002, over 147,000 book titles were published—a 300% increase in 10 years. Publishers would not be printing more books, if people were not reading them.
Beyond these statistics, computer usage, meeting rooms, research, and programming for all ages are a few of the additional reasons why people come to the library.
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Can’t you get all the information you need off the internet?
Although the internet is a source for information that many people take advantage of, the information they obtain may not be reliable. Reference librarians also use the internet and are trained to only provide internet information to patrons from authoritative sources.
In regards to access to computers, we often forget that not everyone has access to a computer at home or at work. Many people who do have computers do not have internet access. The library offers computers for the public to use free of charge and even holds weekly computer classes for those people who want to learn more.
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How much space is needed?
The 2002 feasibility study recommended an 89,423 square building. This is almost twice the size of the present Main Library. Information found on the Indiana State Library’s web site shows that this square footage is comparable to that of public libraries in similar-sized Indiana cities. www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/isl/ldo/plstatsmenu.html
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Why don’t you add another floor?
The existing building built in 1965 was meant to accommodate only one additional floor. Adding on to the existing building would require three additional levels to achieve the needed floor space.
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What spaces will be significantly expanded?
Currently, there are 40,000 books in the Children’s Department; the new area will house 68,000 books. In addition, more study tables, lounge seating, and space for 14 computers are needed. A specialty area, similar to South Branch’s tree house, to encourage reading is also being considered. The Children’s Department will be on the ground floor to improve children’s safety issues.
The Adult Department has 70,000 books; in a new facility we hope to shelve up to 108,000 and this would allow books that are presently in storage to be made available to the public. Eight-five percent of the adult department would be used for shelving. The aisles between book shelves will ideally be four feet wide—a foot wider than in the present facility—making it possible for two people to be in the aisle at once as well as making access easier for those in wheelchairs. The new area will include study tables, seating, and a few computers.
The present library was built before personal computers existed. Consequently, the Computer Lab is in the basement and the three administrative employees in this department have their offices on the top floor. In a new configuration, employees and lab will be adjacent; the lab will accommodate 40 computers and have a classroom area.
Genealogy is the fastest growing hobby in America and the Baby-Boomers reaching retirement age will put an increased demand on this department. Presently the shelving is stocked full with 7,000 books. There is virtually no room to increase the collection. The new space will allow for 12,000 books and add space for patrons and staff to work in a less crowded area.
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What new features would be in a new library?
In the present building, there is no audio-visual department. A-V materials are spread out in the Adult area and the Children’s Department. The new configuration will have all audio-visual materials—music CDs, videos, DVDs, and CDROMs—for both adult and children in one area with trained staff to assist patrons. There will be some public seating in this area and a public TV with a seating area to show videos and special TV shows. A small room where patrons can preview an A-V item before checking out will also be available.
A bookmobile garage ranks high on the list of desired features for many reasons. The library owns two bookmobiles, a van, and a courier truck. These sit in the parking lot and in the alley on the south side of the building when not in use and are unprotected from the weather. A garage will reduce vandalism, reduce maintenance costs and increase staff safety. There would be the added feature that staff could load and unload materials in a sheltered environment.
The feasibility committee would also like to suggest some features to consider in a new library facility. Self-check outs similar to those at grocery stores can now be located in libraries. A drive-up window for patrons to pick-up and drop-off materials would be highly utilized. A canopied drop-off point for vehicle passengers is highly desired.
Three areas that are sorely missing from our Main Library include a quiet reading room, multiple small group discussion rooms, and a special area for teenagers. Currently there are 6,000 young adult books at the edge of the adult services. The new teen area could accommodate 11,000 young adult books and will have four computers for student use.
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