Our Library - Our Future: Summaries of Public Meetings
As part of the planning process for a new Logan Library we held a series of public meetings giving us the chance to explain the planning and building process and more importantly to gather input from the public.
Business and Community Leaders
On Thursday, January 17, 2008 we held a meeting with community and business leaders to kick off the process of gathering public input for the new library. Among those attending were Logan Mayor Randy Watts along with three former mayors, current and former city council members and library board members, county council members, representatives from USU and local public schools, and downtown business owners. After a brief introduction to the project from Mayor Watts and Library Director Ronald Jenkins, attendees had the chance to ask questions and voice their opinions about the new library.
Here are some of the ideas we received about the new library at this meeting:
- New library must be a center for our wide, diverse demographic society.
- Adequate parking must be a major concern.
- Include an atrium with seating and a coffee and sandwich bar and electronic facilities.
- Include retail center as major funding method.
General Public Meetings
We held three public meetings where anyone in the community was invited to US attend and give input. Participants were greeted by Library Director Ronald Jenkins, viewed a short video about the new library, and had the opportunity to meet Library Board members along with the architect for the project. We received many valuable comments and ideas in these meeting including:
- Library needs to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible. Include wide aisles, accessible restrooms, and close parking spaces.
- Build an architecturally bold building, not just another rectangular building with windows.
- Library should be used as a public gathering space and community center.
- Include open areas where parents and children can do homework together as well as having something to eat or drink.
- Build a green building using solar energy where possible.
- Include a gallery with rotating exhibits. Could include historic displays with information about different areas of the country.
- Utilize outdoor space with an amphitheater or booths for events like Summerfest.
- Create a flexible design with adaptable spaces.
- Hold computer classes for Internet and Word Processing.
- Build something similar to the USU library with certain spaces for certain activities such as group areas, noisy areas, study areas etc.
- Build an auditorium along with small and large meeting rooms.
- Need large tables to spread things out on. Ie: Newspapers or homework.
- More computers.
- More Science Fiction.
- Building should be distinctive and inspiring.
- Sponsor chess clubs or Dungeons & Dragons. Include areas for games.
Storytime
We met with parents at each of our six storytime sessions and received the following ideas:
- Need more Internet access.
- Keep storytime for preschoolers.
- Need more programs to engage teenagers during the summer.
- Include genealogy resources and more books on CD.
- Include comfy beanbag chairs for kids and teens.
- Create open spaces where people could talk to each other.
- Need more comfortable chairs to read magazines and books.
- Include space for simultaneous storytimes.
- Allow patrons to participate in fundraising.
- Need drive-up bookdrop.
- Building should be beautiful and practical.
- Feature bulletin boards for children.
- Include a storytime pit.
- Include fish and animals.
- Have a play area with games and puzzles.
- Need the ability to see all ages of kids in one area.
- Feature spanish/english bilingual materials.
- More books on CD with books for children.
- Adult catalog computers in the children's area.
- Coat room for coats, bags & stroller parking.
- Wider aisles.
- Door from the outside directly to the children's area.
- Make the children's area a secure area where children can't run away.
- Display books face out with covers showing.
- Have display spaces in the children's area.
- Nursing room.
- Feature pre-preschool games on children's computers.
- Support for home-schoool families such as meeting spaces.
- Have after-school activities for children over age 5.
- An adult book stand in the children's area.
Senior Citizens
We held two meetings with local senior citizens where we received the following input:
- Clearly visible signs outside of the library.
- Sponsor author talks & guest lectures.
- Murals on the wall to make it more inviting.
- Feature displays and traveling exhibits.
- Have artwork and sculptures available for checkout.
- Drive-up window to pick-up items placed on hold.
- Covered parking structures or covered walkways.
- Magazines available for checkout.
Homeschoolers
On Friday, January 18 we held a meeting for homeschool students and their parents. These are some of the suggestions we received:
- Have space that homeschoolers can use for group work such as history or science fairs. Could use hands on space for crafts and projects, stage & sound system, kitchen or at least a sink, and display space.
- Feature a gift shop with library related items.
- Personal lighting on tables.
- Quiet games such as fabric checkers or chess.
- Keep fish tank in children's section.
- Teach classes about how to use library databases.
- Have artwork available for checkout.
- Have magazines available for parents to read in the childrens area.
Teens
We held a meeting to receive Teen input on a new library on Thursday, January 24. We received many great ideas including:
- Would like to see educational games on computers.
- Add more of the tall tables and chairs that are currently in the Teen section.
- Feature bean bag chairs in the teen section.
- Features books for recreational reading and for schoolwork.
- Need places, such as couches, for groups of friends or a family to sit and read together.
- Star-gazing globe.
- Sponsor activities such as a chess club.
- Have board games and chess sets available in Teen area.
- Multiple story building with adult materials on top floor.
- Listening stations with music.
- Quiet study rooms.
