The city of Cedar Park is conducting a study to determine the next steps for addressing the city’s growing need for expanded library services.
Hidell & Associates, the architecture firm hired to assist the city with the project, presented a library master plan draft to City Council on Feb. 26, which includes three different options for council to consider for expanding the library. The firm solicited community input to help determine what the city’s current library needs are as well as what the needs might be in the future, said Bill Hidell, the firm’s principal.
The firm analyzed the library’s facility, staff and programs during its study, which included the input of more than 2,220 people, Hidell said. An online survey received more than 2,100 responses from the community, which included questions about library needs. The community indicated needs for additional staff, seating and collaborative space, he said, as well as a larger collection of both physical and electronic items. Designated study and conference rooms, space for teens and multipurpose areas were also included in the community’s library wish list, he said.
“People are looking for the library, not only to get content, but to create content,” Hidell said. “The idea [is] to create a space where people can collaborate … but can also be kind of a social interaction living room of a community. … [It] is an important attribute for the public library.”
Hidell said it is important to first increase the number of items in the collection to two to 2.5 items per capita. Cedar Park Public Library currently has 1.5 items per capita. However, growing the collection cannot be considered without adequate, expanded space, he said. The library, located at 550 Discovery Blvd., is 25,000 square feet in size and was last expanded in 2000 by 18,000 square feet.
The three options to address needs include expansion of the current facility, building a new library and partnering with other public entities to share space. Hidell cited other cities that have used the partnership method to share the cost burden. For example, the Warren Civic Center and Public Library in Warren, Michigan, uses its facility for city government operations, such as City Council, a public library and community events, among other uses.
“People are actually reading more and getting more content, but they are using the library for other programs and services that are just starting to be energized through the contemporary library today,” Hidell said.
Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell said he wants to receive more information about the partnership option. City Council is expected to vote on the master plan on March 26.
“We have a lot more information than we had before,” Powell said. “Before we had just a feeling that the library was inadequate. This will be a great conversation starter, certainly not only for those of us [council members], but for the community at large because ultimately they are going to have to fund whatever we decide to do.”
The city of Cedar Park is conducting a study to determine the next steps for addressing the city’s growing need for expanded library services.
Hidell & Associates, the architecture firm hired to assist the city with the project, presented a library master plan draft to City Council on Feb. 26, which includes three different options for council to consider for expanding the library. The firm solicited community input to help determine what the city’s current library needs are as well as what the needs might be in the future, said Bill Hidell, the firm’s principal.
The firm analyzed the library’s facility, staff and programs during its study, which included the input of more than 2,220 people, Hidell said. An online survey received more than 2,100 responses from the community, which included questions about library needs. The community indicated needs for additional staff, seating and collaborative space, he said, as well as a larger collection of both physical and electronic items. Designated study and conference rooms, space for teens and multipurpose areas were also included in the community’s library wish list, he said.
“People are looking for the library, not only to get content, but to create content,” Hidell said. “The idea [is] to create a space where people can collaborate … but can also be kind of a social interaction living room of a community. … [It] is an important attribute for the public library.”
Hidell said it is important to first increase the number of items in the collection to two to 2.5 items per capita. Cedar Park Public Library currently has 1.5 items per capita. However, growing the collection cannot be considered without adequate, expanded space, he said. The library, located at 550 Discovery Blvd., is 25,000 square feet in size and was last expanded in 2000 by 18,000 square feet.
The three options to address needs include expansion of the current facility, building a new library and partnering with other public entities to share space. Hidell cited other cities that have used the partnership method to share the cost burden. For example, the Warren Civic Center and Public Library in Warren, Michigan, uses its facility for city government operations, such as City Council, a public library and community events, among other uses.
“People are actually reading more and getting more content, but they are using the library for other programs and services that are just starting to be energized through the contemporary library today,” Hidell said.
Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell said he wants to receive more information about the partnership option. City Council is expected to vote on the master plan on March 26.
“We have a lot more information than we had before,” Powell said. “Before we had just a feeling that the library was inadequate. This will be a great conversation starter, certainly not only for those of us [council members], but for the community at large because ultimately they are going to have to fund whatever we decide to do.”
