When the building was built in 1948 and then added onto in 1975 the needs of the Denison Public Library were different than today.

Then the card catalog played a central role in daily operations, books were checked out using paper, and personal computers were unknown. Today the latter has replaced the former, and computers are a major draw for library patrons.

The evolution has been gradual for the Denison library, and that means putting new things where they fit. Library Director Alvin Bailey said it has resulted in an organization that doesnt always make sense and isnt as efficient as it could be. The library is hoping to address that in August, when the furniture is moved to replace the carpet.

The city began focusing on library improvements last year. We postponed and deferred a lot of things we needed to do when we were chasing the new building, Bailey said. We didnt want to pour a lot of money into this building if we were going to be moving in a year or two.

With that idea on hold for the foreseeable future, he said, the city and Library Board began first with projects to address deterioration and benefit the buildings future tenant when a new library building does become a reality. Those included fixing a leaky roof, facade and gutter repairs, interior plaster repairs and painting, motion sensor lighting and programmable thermostats, security cameras, and more efficient lighting in some portions of the building.

Bailey said its also time to replace the carpet that was installed in 1984. It has served us well, weve gotten many years out of it, he said, but the carpet is beginning to unravel in some places, creating tripping hazards in addition to showing 28 years of age.

Since the new carpet installation will require removing the future and closing the library for a time, Bailey said it presents a good time to address the arrangement of the library. We really need to do some stuff to make this place more practical and useful for people, Bailey said.

The computers, which are currently placed in various groups of two to eight workstations, will be moved to an L-shaped arrangement near the buildings west windows. Bailey said putting the computers on a linear instead of circular desk will create space for a few more workstations. Adult fiction shelves will be located where the computers are currently stationed.

The adult nonfiction and childrens area will be flipped, with one room, which currently houses shelves, being dedicated to childrens programs. The childrens programs are now held in the librarys meeting room. The room hosts 40 to 50 meetings a month, so the items for childrens programs must be set up and put away with each program to clear the way for other meetings.

We can set up for our kids programs, and we dont have to take it down, Bailey said of the plan for the dedicated childrens space.

Read the original:
Denison planning library improvements

Related Posts
November 10, 2012 at 2:46 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Carpet Installation