By Davi Stuhlsatz

MULVANE – A new library building has been added to the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, with construction to begin in 2015 or sooner.

“When we presented the request to add a new library to the CIP, it was approved, although a couple of council members said the time line was too far out,” said Paula Armer, library director. 

The proposed time line was to establish a building committee and hire an architect in 2013, conduct planning and building design in 2014 and vote on bond issue and begin construction in 2015.

Armer said that schedule would now be moved up, but it is too early to have a cost estimate.

“It depends on land/site issues – if we build on land already owned by the city or if we have to buy new land,” she said. “We should have a figure by January, when the CIP is revised.”

The current library building is more than 70 years old, and has served as the library for 35 years, said Armer.

“The current building is too small,” she said. “It does not meet modern library standards. The building size and condition do not allow the provision of services and programs to meet the needs of the residents of Mulvane.”

Only 46 percent of the citizens of Mulvane rated the library building as adequate, she said.

The library board’s presentation included the following additional figures:

• The library owns 27,363 items.

• 2011 circulation was 46,053.

• 5,265 people attended the 120 programs held in 2011.

• Attendance for the 2012 summer reading program was 1,735.

• The teen/tween summer program for 2012 increased attendance by 266 percent.

In addition to not meeting standards (see the list below), the board also said a new building was needed due to roof problems and in order to comply with the American Disabilities Act.

Armer said the next steps would be to put a building committee together and hire an architect.

 

Library standards vs. current Mulvane library building

 

 

Standards

• 6,600 to 12,600 square feet

• 30 to 60 seats

• Seating 900-1,200 sq. feet

• Meeting room 700-900 ft.

• Public Computers – 10

• Staff work space 900-1,800 sq. ft.

• Accessible shelving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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