Prosper Town Council members adopted a Library Master Plan during a March 11 meeting.
The plan outlines a strategic vision for the library’s evolution by addressing the town’s rapid community growth, the current facility’s offerings and any future demands, according to the plan, which can be viewed here.
It does not allocate funding for any specific projects but does make multiple recommendations for town officials to plan for in the future, according to a meeting presentation.
The overview
The master plan was created after months of work from 720 design, an architectural firm hired by the town in April. Creating the plan involved community engagement, input from library staff and benchmarking with nearby cities and state standards.
Key priorities highlighted in the plan include:
- Providing flexible spaces for all purposes, such as business meetings, creative workshops or community gatherings
- Supporting entrepreneurship and creativity through coworking spaces, artist studios, makerspaces and more
- Provide access to tools and resources that empower residents to thrive in a digital world through a future-focused approach to technology and infrastructure
- Focus on experiential learning and hands-on programs to inspire curiosity and creativity
Zooming in
Council members last discussed the plan during a Jan. 14 meeting. The final version adopted March 11 reflects their recommendations, including a request to look into other sizing options for a future library facility, Library Director Gary Landeck said.
The three sizing options presented were:
- Option No. 1: Build a 72,000-square-foot facility that meets Prosper’s buildout requirements
- Option No. 2: Build a 50,000-square-foot-facility with phased expansion
- Option No. 3: Build a 33,000-square-foot facility with phased expansion
The input from council on Jan. 14 “made it a better plan,” Landeck said.
All three options include flexible spaces for community programming and study areas; enhanced technology resources, maker spaces and digital literacy tools; and sustainable, inclusive designs prioritizing accessibility and sensory-friendly areas, according to meeting documents.
“I think we can really level up here,” Landeck said.
Members of Prosper’s Library Board on March 4 unanimously recommended council adopt the master plan and concluded that a 49,000-square-foot facility is the absolute minimum size the town should consider, according to meeting documents.
For reference, the John and Judy Gay Library in McKinney is around 35,000 square feet, Landeck said. Prosper’s library is currently 10,000 square feet.
The 49,000-square-foot facility supports accreditation requirements, best practice standards and meets the goals and criteria for success with 0.8 square feet per capita to align with Texas Library Association standards, according to meeting documents.
No final decision on the size of a future facility has been made.
Library Board members Danielle Philipson and Mary Beth Randecker spoke during the meeting to explain the recommendations, which will be incorporated into the overall master plan.
Other recommendations from the Library Board included:
- Stocking the library’s collection at 70% physical, 30% digital and 1.95 items per capita with an increase to 2.04 per capita when Prosper’s population reaches 50,000
- Conducting a feasibility study for a Library Foundation
- Undertaking a data-driven analysis before making specific programming, budget, staffing, facility and collection design considerations to identify gaps and opportunities
- Refining the library’s long range plan
- Asking library leadership to engage stakeholders to envision the library’s future
“For many Prosper residents, the library is the single most common point of contact with the town,” Philipson said. “As we look ahead, we need to be sure that the town council’s vision of excellence in municipal services continues to be executed and that the physical expression of that vision meets high public expectations.”
What comes next?
In the short-term, the plan includes recommendations to increase the current library’s collection size, extend hours, improve programming, upgrade technology and develop a collection growth plan.
The long-term vision would center around selecting a site and size for a future facility. Once both are identified, the recommendations are to:
- Design flexible spaces for evolving community needs in the new facility
- Incorporate maker spaces, STEM labs and creative hubs
- Ensure the space is ADA-compliant, energy-efficient and offers sensory spaces
