THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270238
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 71 lines
The Chesapeake Public Library system is growing, and library officials want to hear what citizens have to say about how the expansion should go.
Ideas and concerns from citizens are being sought as plans for a new building at the Major Hillard branch in Deep Creek and for the expansion of the Indian River branch get under way.
``We did this when we had new buildings, expansions and renovations about eight years ago,'' said Carole King, assistant director for the library system. ``We felt then, and still do, that it was important for the public to have a direct input into the building and expansion process. Before any concrete plans are put on the drawing board, we find out what the community wants.''
Funds for both projects will come from the city's current capital budget, King said.
Last week, the Hillard branch held an informational meeting at the Deep Creek Community Center. Attending were members of the community, library officials, branch staff members and architects John Tymoff and Barry Moss of the architectural firm Tymoff & Moss of Norfolk, which will design the new $3.92 million building, said Paula Alston, manager of the Major Hillard branch library.
``The meeting went very well,'' Alston said. ``We had over 50 citizens who were right on the ball and eager for a new library in Deep Creek. We were terribly excited about the number of people who cared enough to come and offer their ideas. It's about time we got a new building.''
The present facility, which was built more than 20 years ago, has about 50,000 books in space designed to hold 20,000.
``We have books where tables and other patron amenities should be,'' she said.
Alston said the designers welcomed suggestions from the public about the new building.
``He (John Tymoff) had a slide presentation showing off his firm's previous work, including the Greenbrier branch,'' she said. ``He spoke on his philosophy on building, which includes the use of warm-colored woods, people-friendly interiors and incorporating ideas from the community.''
Citizens suggested larger meeting rooms, a larger children's department, more books and reference works, more seating spaces, easy access for all to parking lots, and good lighting for outside areas and parking lots.
``When the community is able to let ideas and concerns be heard, and when citizens can see that these ideas are heeded and implemented, it gives people a real feeling of ownership of their local library,'' King said.
A similar meeting with citizens will take place Wednesday at the Indian River Branch.
Plans call for the Indian River Branch library to double in size from about 5,900 square feet to more than 13,500 square feet. The expansion will include more space for meeting rooms, an enclosed children's area and separate service points, including a circulation desk and reference desk.
``We knew the Hillard meeting was very successful,'' said branch manager Sandy Stratton. ``Right now, our project is in the preliminary design stage, and we want to hear the public's ideas.''
Library Director Peggy Stillman, King and architect Edward G. Lazaron with the Virginia Beach-based firm The Design Collaborative will participate in the meeting, Stratton said.
Next year, both library branches will conduct public meetings to display the finished designs. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
AT A GLANCE
What: A public discussion of ideas for expansion of the Indian
River branch library
Where: Indian River Community Center, 2250 Old Greenbrier Road.
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday.
Who: All citizens of the Indian River community and the city.
Call: More information is available by calling 420-3433. by CNB