Library Building Project Frequently Asked Questions

Today is 2/4/2012

Ames Public Library
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50010

Fines, Renewals, etc:
(515) 239-5646

Reference Services:
(515) 239-5656

Mon-Thur: 9am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 9am-6pm
Sun: 1pm-5pm

We’re out of usable space.
For every new item we add to the library, one has to be taken away.
Library use is growing.
Since the last addition in 1984, the number of items checked out and the number of visitors per year has doubled. Ames Public Library is very heavily used, with an average annual circulation of 30 items per capita. (The national average is six.)
Libraries have changed a lot since 1984.
The spaces we have aren’t flexible enough to adapt to different uses or run a modern library efficiently. The configuration of the floor plan and separate rooms create staffing requirements we are unable to meet.
The library we create now will continue to serve Ames for the next 20-30 years.
Ames and the surrounding area are expected to continue growing at a modest rate over the next few decades. The community will need a library that can support that growth and serve the next generation.

Continue to add new books, movies, and music without taking away older items that still see use.
Widen the aisles to the 42” width recommended by ADA.
Add more areas for quiet reading, for group collaboration, etc.
Add more meeting and study rooms to accommodate high demand.
Create larger and more appropriate areas for a teen space and a children’s play area.
Expand computer use opportunities.
Create more efficient work areas, allowing the library to get more bang for its staffing buck.

Actually, library use has been rising steadily since the advent of the Internet. Even more surprisingly, circulation of books—both adult and juvenile—continues to rise.
Libraries exist to serve the entire community, including those who cannot afford the internet at home or a new e-book reader, MP3 player, etc.
We don’t expect the book to die off completely in the near future, and even digital formats could have a physical device that would need to be checked out. (Borrowing a Kindle, for example.)
Library use is changing dramatically from a “warehouse of books” to a community space where people go to meet, enjoy a presentation, work on a project, etc. Those types of activities require quite a bit of space.

Bad economic times can actually be a good time to plan. We hope to get more favorable pricing from contractors, and there may be a possibility of stimulus funding.
It’s also worth noting that libraries tend to see an increase in use during times of economic turmoil. Libraries provide vital support for job seekers, people looking for sources of assistance, and people simply looking to tighten their belts.
That said, there may be improvement to the economy by the time we are ready to begin fundraising.

Yes. The architects have been using similar university towns as benchmarks because they have such a different dynamic.
We find that Ames Public Library and Iowa State University Library have such different types of collections that they complement each other very well, and ISU students end up using both libraries for different activities. For example, the ISU Library is perfect for in-depth research, while Ames Public Library holds more interest for people seeking entertainment, materials for personal enrichment, and general information. ISU students in childhood development are also heavy users of our children’s collection.

Yes. At their meeting on February 18, 2010, the Library Trustees voted to proceed with the expansion project at the site the library currently occupies. The current building will need to undergo considerable changes in order to achieve the space need projections, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and preservation of the historic sections of the building.

The part of the building known as the historic section currently houses two public meeting rooms, the Computer Commons, and offices for “back of house” operations. In order to preserve the historic integrity of the building, the Library Board has approached the Board of Directors of the Ames Historical Society to assume this section of the building for a museum and archive of Ames’s history. While much work needs to be done in working out an agreement, the two organizations have much in common and would provide a real asset to the historic and cultural life of our city.

Because of the relatively small size of Ames geographically and the lack of traffic congestion, Ames would not be a prime candidate for a branch.
A second facility would also add significantly more ongoing staff and building operation costs than a single larger facility, adding to the long-term tax burden of the citizens of Ames. In short, the duplication in overhead costs currently outweigh the added convenience.
The Bookmobile operates as a traveling branch of Ames Public Library, bringing materials to eight weekly stops in Ames and Gilbert.

The Library Board of Trustees will use input from public meetings, citizens committee, staff, and architects to choose a final design. Once the final cost of that design is determined, the Board will make a recommendation to the City Council to put the proposal to a vote of the citizens for a bond referendum.

Environmental concerns are being taken very seriously, and the architect is experienced with LEED-certified building. What level of LEED-certification we attain will depend upon how much money the community is willing to invest.

More public meetings will be held once we enter the design phase.
You may also submit comments and questions to the library’s Building Project Blog, fill in the Contact Us form on the library’s website, or share your comments with library staff.