The Lawrence City Commission will place a referendum on the November 2010 ballot that will expand and renovate the library and increase parking for the library, senior center, outdoor pool and downtown Lawrence. Five years ago, the city commission examined a number of proposals to move the library from its current site to another area of downtown.  The cost of those plans ranged from $35 to $60 million and the community could not justify the expense.  This proposal totals $18 million.

What are the Needs?

With 70% of citizens holding library cards, the people of Lawrence love and use their library.  Last year, the number of items checked out from the Lawrence Public Library increased 11% and in the past 10 years circulation has jumped 128%. In 2010, the upward trend continues.  On July 6, 2010, the library recorded its busiest day ever - more than 8,000 items checked out in a single day. 

The current building is 38 years old, built in 1972 when the population of Lawrence was half its current size, and library circulation was one quarter of what it is today.  In addition:

• The children’s room is one of the most popular areas of the library, circulating nearly 350,000 items last year alone.  However, space is very tight, with books displayed on adult-sized shelving.
• Demand for public meeting rooms at the library cannot be met.  Last year, the library had to turn away 200 meeting room requests.
• The library does not meet standards for the number of public access computers.  With 53 computers available for public use, the library has only one-third of the number mandated by its accrediting organization, the Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS).  This puts the library’s eligibility for grant funding in jeopardy.
• Parking is inadequate, particularly during the summer when visitors to the library, outdoor pool, senior center, and downtown are competing for parking spaces.
• “Back room” library functions are outdated and out of space, presenting challenges to providing good customer service.

What are we voting on?

The specific proposal would:

• Expand the current facility by approximatley 20,000 square feet;
• Renovate all spaces in the existing building;
• Add a parking structure that increases the number of parking stalls from 126 to 250 spaces to serve the library, senior center and downtown Lawrence;
• Double the size of the children’s room, allowing space for age appropriate shelving as well as a kids’ programming and activity area;
• Provide more public meeting spaces, ranging from small conference rooms to a larger auditorium for community programs;
• Add 100 computers to meet public demand and comply with NEKLS requirements;
• Provide an outdoor civic plaza area for community events;
• Add a drive up book drop and service window for more convenient customer service;
• Improve behind-the-scenes technology to more efficiently handle library materials;
• Increase the popular library collection and provide additional seating and reading areas in the adult section of the library; and
• Improve the building’s energy efficiency to save money on utilities.

What is the cost?

On November 2, 2010, voters will go to the polls and will be asked whether they will support an $18 million bond to finance the expansion and renovation of the existing library as well as the construction of an adjacent parking structure.  For the owner of a $200,000 home in Lawrence, this translates to $2.88 per month in additional taxes.  The construction project would be paid off in 20 years. In addition, the Lawrence Public Library Foundation has committed to a $1 million capital campaign to raise private dollars for the project.

Where do we go from here?

Should voters approve funding for the library expansion and parking improvements in November, ground breaking for the project would take place in the fall of 2011.

Need additional information? Please contact Kathleen Morgan at kmorgan@lawrence.lib.ks.us

Press release, March 17, 2010