New Library Update

By Bill Nelson, Director

January 23, 2008

Would you like a new library that offers multiple meeting rooms, plenty of shelf space for up-to-date materials, a larger children’s department, a reading sanctuary, and plenty of parking spaces? If so, keep reading:

In 2005, the Library Board recognized the need to start planning for a larger facility. Since NCPL’s last major addition in 1972, the number of annual checkouts has increased from 218,000 to 570,000 (or 160%).

Similarly, the number of annual visits has sky-rocketed a whopping 750%, from 39,472 to 330,790. Put another way, NCPL now sees as many patrons in one month as visited the library in an entire year in the mid-1970s!

This dramatic increase in library use has created the need for a larger building. In response to these demands, the NCPL Trustees have been working to create a new library in downtown Casper. A Building Program which defines the size of each department is nearing completion.

Additionally, architect Rick McCarthy of Burnidge Cassell Associates (BCA) and Casper architect Randy Hein are on board. Over the next few months the BCA-Hein team will help the Trustees develop cost estimates and evaluate potential locations for a new library.

The library’s biggest need is an expanded Children’s Department. With recent studies showing that children require interactivity to acquire literacy skills other libraries are providing puppet theaters and creative play areas. Libraries are also developing comfortable spaces for parents and children to read together and dedicated story-time rooms designed to stimulate children’s minds.

Ideally, NCPL’s new Children’s Department will incorporate these features and expand to four times its current size.

Most libraries now offer multiple meeting rooms to accommodate simultaneous library programs for adults, teens, and small children. Currently, our single program area, the Crawford Room, cannot even accommodate all of our youth programs. For example, NCPL’s summer reading programs often push the Crawford Room’s seating capacity. Scheduling conflicts for this single room are also routine.

Contemporary libraries are able to encourage lively community interaction by offering several forms of public meeting space. Our community currently lacks readily available rooms for civic groups and clubs to meet. NCPL turns away at least 3 requests for community events weekly because the Crawford Room is already booked. A new library will help to fulfill this community need.

Over the next few months we hope to share the details of this exciting project with our community. We will be describing in greater detail the needs for new youth service areas, meeting rooms, small study rooms, quiet spaces, additional parking and property for future expansion. We will also be seeking community input into the planning and designing process.

NCPL has served Natrona County citizens on the corner of Second and Durbin for nearly 100 years. With an adequately sized library for our population at a new downtown location, NCPL will be able to continue providing friendly service, relevant materials, expert assistance, and a higher degree of personalized services to the growing population of Natrona County into the future.

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