FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUESTS GEORGIA’S PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Georgia Public Library Service 404.235.7200 georgialibraries.org
Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Outlay Request Georgia’s Public Libraries
January 2016
Neva Lomason Memorial Library Carroll County West Georgia Regional Library
Local Information
Project Information Proposed sq ft:
30,000
Local Share:
$1,500,000
Request from State:
$2,000,000
Project Total:
$3,500,000
System Director:
Roni Tewksbury
[email protected] 770.836.6711 House District:
18, 69
Senate District:
30
Project Scope The Neva Lomason Memorial Library capital construction project differs from most in that the building, despite needing upgrades to electrical work and more flexibility in incorporating new technologies, is more or less sound. The project is a redesign and refit of the facility into a full library by moving administrative services to another location, opening up 10,000 more sq ft of services for patrons. With this new design, departments will shift, grow and become more welcoming and accessible. The childrens department will nearly double in size and gain an amphitheater for year round programming—the library serves 150 schools. There will be: a glass-enclosed technology lab; a larger open reading and seating area; quiet study rooms; a full teen area; convenient restroom locations that will finally be ADA compliant; meeting rooms capable of supporting multiple layouts and themes; and a main entrance close to parking. The entire community actively voices strong approval and desire for this project and there is SPLOST money ready to invest. All are eager to welcome a refitted, redesigned Neva Lomason Memorial Library to the neighborhoods of Carrollton and West Georgia Regional Library at large.
Neva Lomason Memorial Library is funded by Carroll County and the City of Carrollton.
Existing facility is on the left, the proposed facility is on the right
West Georgia Regional Library Neva Lomason Memorial Library is funded by Carroll County and the City of Carrollton.
Valdosta-Lowndes County Library Lowndes County South Georgia Regional Library
Project Information
Local Information
Proposed sq ft:
35,000
System Director:
Local Funds:
$1,680,000
[email protected]
Request from State:
$2,000,000
229.333.0086
Project Total:
$3,680,000
House District:
174, 175, 176, 177
Senate District:
8
Miguel Vicente
Floorplan for new library
Project Scope Landlocked and over crowded, the South Georgia Regional Library system seeks a new central library capable of supporting modern technologies. As with many libraries its age, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Library was not built with expansion and flexibility in mind. This hampers efforts to update the efficiency, layout and overall mechanics to adequately adapt to the rise in population, advancements in technology and materials needed to be a community asset. SPLOST money is ready along with a new site within a revitalized town center. This new facility will be a hub of education, literacy, technology and community engagement.
Valdosta-Lowndes County Library is funded by Lowndes County and the City of Valdosta.
South Georgia Regional Library
Valdosta-Lowndes County Library is funded by Lowndes County and the City of Valdosta.
Northwest Library
Dougherty County Dougherty County Public Library
Local Information
Project Information Proposed sq ft:
11,000
Local Funds: $4,610,000 Request from State:
$2,000,000
Project Total: $6,610,000
System Director:
Pauline Abidde
[email protected] 229.420.3200 House Districts:
151, 153, 154
Senate District:
12
Project Scope Housed in a converted furniture store, Northwest Library lies along a main artery in Albany, seeing material circulations and computer usage on par with the Central Library. Thus far, funding has only allowed for partial development, leaving 11,000 sq ft undeveloped. The Northwest Library needs to remedy many problems with the facility itself. The rear of the building is an open, uninsulated warehouse used, predominantly, as storage for materials. Plans for the area include building out meeting and conference rooms and employee work spaces; a more advanced tech center; study rooms; a full-time genealogy department; and expanded space for year-round children’s programming as many potential attendees are turned away due to space constraints. These additions, fixes and upgrades will not only secure the integrity of the building, but ensure Dougherty residents have a center for community activities, education and free services.
Unfinished office space
Uninsulated rear of building
The Northwest Library is funded by Dougherty County Commission.
Dougherty County Public Library
Dougherty County Public Library usage statistics
Northwest Library construction project floor plan
The Northwest Library is funded by Dougherty County Commission.
Norcross Branch
Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Public Library
Project Information
Local Information
Proposed sq ft:
22,000
System Director:
Charles Pace
Local Funds: $1,075,000
[email protected]
Request from State:
770.822.4522
$1,875,000
Project Total: $2,950,000
House District:
95
Senate District:
5
Project Scope The Norcross Branch library of the Gwinnett County Public Library system was built in a different time for an entirely different population. In the more than 20 years since the Norcross Branch opened, needs have grown and the library needs to grow with them. Due to age and failing equipment, the facility is having great difficulty in maintaining stability and efficiency for its high number of patron visits. The library needs dedicated areas for education, technology and programming. The building is suffering from failing equipment and structural integrity. The HVAC system is rapidly nearing the end of its life cycle, becoming more and more costly with each passing year. An all-new Norcross Branch library will be designed for flexibility in space and a strong dedication to education, technology and the community at large. Patrons will have room to roam and discover an abundance of new job-seeking, reference and literary resources. The building is part of an ongoing revitalization and beautification of “old” downtown Norcross with full support from local officials and funding agencies.
Norcross Branch is funded by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
Gwinnett County Public Library
Multiple departments, study area, and public computers jumbled together
Popularity of programs means crowded, packed-in audiences
Norcross Branch is funded by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
Bogart Branch Library Oconee County Athens Regional Library System
Project Information
Local Information
Proposed sq ft: 5,000 Local funds: $955,750 Request from State: $1,755,750 Project Total: $2,711,500
System Director: Valerie Bell
[email protected] 706.613.3650 House District: 117, 119 Senate District: 46
Project Scope The Bogart Branch Library was designed and built with future expansion firmly in mind, and the time for that expansion has come. Over the years, the population of northwestern Oconee County has steadily grown, and the current 3,700 sq ft facility is unable to meet or keep up with patron needs or new technologies. Space for patron visits is terribly limited. Children’s programming is one of the biggest draws at this branch, but the space is too small to fully support the events and attendees. Wear and tear is also a major factor, so plans include an upgrade to all utilities and a new roof, creating a highly energy-efficient facility. The library will feature a dedicated section for children’s materials and programming, a flexible technology center for growth and adaption and an expanded multipurpose room for community events.
Cramped children’s event
Overcrowded shelves
Bogart Branch Library is funded by Oconee County and the City of Bogart.
Athens Regional Library System
Storage room and work area at capacity
Public computers crammed within other departments
Bogart Branch Library is funded by Oconee County and the City of Bogart.
Pickens County Public Library Pickens County Sequoyah Regional Library
Local Information
Project Information Proposed sq ft:
19,000
Local Funds:
$2,001,000
Request from State: $2,000,000 Project Total:
$4,001,000
System Director:
Anita Summers
[email protected] 770.479.3090 House District:
11
Senate District:
51, 54
Project Scope The staff of Pickens County Public Library in Jasper is doing all they can to provide patrons an enjoyable, educational library experience. Each year, this task is becoming more and more difficult as the library is suffering from structural failings and design flaws that create a challenge to supporting a growing population and rapidly advancing technology. The major danger facing the building is flooding. A simple storm leads to water seeping through the outer foundation and soaking into carpets, causing baseboards to rot and peel. Coupled with the fact the HVAC system is unreliable and inconsistent, mold and mildew form on and in the walls and throughout the ductwork, presenting a health hazard to employees and visitors. The library needs dedicated spaces for: community meetings; training and education; children and teens; public access computers; study rooms; and quiet reading. As of now, departments and materials are intermingled and bleed into each other with no one spot having enough room to fully function. In addition, staff work areas are cluttered, doubling as storage. Patrons of the Pickens County Public Library regularly express their desire and support for a completely redesigned facility capable of adapting and growing with the times.
Examples of how flooding is starting to significantly damage doors, walls and floors
Pickens County Public Library is funded by the Pickens County Board of Commissioners, City of Jasper and City of Talking Rock.
Poor lighting design causes strain for patrons and staff
Inadequate storage space shared with network servers Office layout awkward and easily obstructs workflow
Sequoyah Regional Library Pickens County Public Library is funded by the Pickens County Board of Commissioners, City of Jasper and City of Talking Rock.
Jones County Public Library Jones County Middle Georgia Regional Library
Local Information
Project Information Proposed sq ft:
8,481
Local Funds:
$450,000
Request from State:
$1,300,00
Project Total:
$1,750,000
Circulation desk too high for people with disabilities to reach
System Director:
Jennifer Lautzenheiser
[email protected] 478.744.0800 House District:
129, 144
Senate District:
25, 26
Children’s programming room suffers from poor design/placement of restrooms
Project Scope Built in 1986, the Jones County Public Library is a facility no longer able to accommodate or contain its thriving and exuberant community. A letter-writing campaign consisting of county leaders, Boy and Girl Scout troops, local clubs and guilds, educators, and students sent thousands of pleas to state legislators attesting to this fact. Issues plaguing the library are numerous: extremely limited access to technology (branch only has 6 public PCs); no designated space to conduct training or education classes; no quiet study areas; a nearly defunct HVAC system with high operating costs; and an overall design not suited to support people with disabilities despite the efforts of staff. During summer reading, the branch is overflowing with participants and parking spills into nearby county administrative buildings. Also, there is no area for teens, and the library is seeing a booming interest in young adult services and books. A completely renovated and redesigned Jones County Library promises a more fulfilling library experience for its dedicated local patrons in a facility that is adaptable, efficient in cost and space, and capable of supporting a growing population.
Jones County Public Library is funded by the Jones County Board of Commissioners.
Middle Georgia Regional Library System
Proposed floor plan
Jones County Public Library is funded by the Jones County Board of Commissioners.
Quitman County Library Quitman County Kinchafoonee Regional Library
Project Information
Local Information
Proposed sq ft:
5,000
System Director:
Local Funds:
$116,000
[email protected]
Funds from State:
$1,041,000
229.995.6331
Project Total:
$1,157,000
House District:
151
Senate District:
12
Gary McNeely
Project Scope The Quitman County Library, located in Georgetown, has aged far past usability. Since 1977, the library has existed in a converted workshop attached to the local Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Department, an area in a virtual “dead zone” for mobile services. The building suffers from an exhausted HVAC system; poor wiring; lack of any ADA compliance; zero space for public meetings, programming, or study; and is incapable of supporting modern technology. Despite its shortcomings, the Quitman County Library remains a popular place for locals. Realizing the need for a new library, the community has already raised upward of $15,000, and the county has dedicated 5 acres of government-owned land for construction. The new building will be located closer to schools and is part of a revitalization initiative in Quitman County.
Branch network server in unsafe location
Quitman County Library is funded by the Quitman County Board of Education and the Georgetown-Quitman County Consolidated Government.
Cramped front desk serves as only employee work space and central station for public computers
The rigged HVAC
Kinchafoonee Regional Library System
Despite its size, the branch receives and sends dozens of books throughout the state via the PINES system
Staff and patrons share this narrow restroom
Quitman County Library is funded by the Quitman County Board of Education and the Georgetown-Quitman County Consolidated Government.
Milner Public Library Lamar County Flint River Regional Library
Project Information
Local Information
Proposed sq ft:
6,000
System Director:
Local Funds:
$100,000
[email protected]
Request from State:
$500,000
770.412.4770
Project Total:
$600,000
House District:
130
Senate District:
16
Natalie Marshall
Project Scope The City of Milner has not previously had a library to call its own. Local Flint River patrons must drive to either Barnesville or Griffin for library services. The residents of Milner have long expressed interest in a community library, and funds for a facility have been an item in the city’s strategic growth plan for over two decades. The community rallied alongside a partnership between the Milner Friends of the Library and the Community Foundation of Georgia, raising over $160,000 toward a library. The service area of this new library includes the city of Milner and northern Lamar County. Since they are currently without, local patrons are missing out on a myriad of educational opportunties and free library services. A library will provide people with a community and educational center, and children will have ready access to summer reading programs. The building is designed to offer maximum community utility, long-term efficiency and a traditional look in the spirit of a town founded in the 1840s.
Milner Public Library is funded by the City of Milner and SPLOST.
Flint River Regional Library System
Floor plan for new Milner Library
Milner Public Library is funded by the City of Milner and SPLOST.
Richmond Hill Public Library Bryan County Statesboro Regional Public Libraries
Local Information
Project Information Proposed sq ft:
24,000
Local Funds:
$1,680,000
Request from State:
$2,000,000
Project Total:
$3,680,000
System Director:
Jennifer Durham
[email protected] 912.764.1341 House District:
160, 164, 166
Senate District:
1
Examples of poor building design and structural additions
Project Scope Since 1976, the Richmond Hill Public Library has been in a near state of collapse with two major remodels featuring inconsistent design and haphazard additions. It is basically three different buildings stitched together with stucco and mortar. The building has reached the end of its life as a sustainable library. New neighborhoods and schools are bringing more and more people to Richmond Hill, and the library is struggling to keep up. Staff is forced to heavily weed the collection as there is no room to expand it. Staff areas are cramped and crowded, and there is no reliable technology center for patrons. For the last 10 years, the library has been unable to host childrens programming due to space limitations. The solution is an all-new 24,000 sq ft facility built with adaptability and future expansion at its core. A site is already scouted and approved; it is a location near other county administration and recreation facilities, two schools, and three burgeoning neighborhoods. The local Friends group, along with dedicated patrons, holds fundraisers and campaigns regularly hoping to have a library that can fully support a thriving, growing community.
Richmond Hill Public Library is funded by the Bryan County Board of Commissioners.
Statesboro Regional Public Libraries
Staff office and work area is largely used as storage, severely limiting efficiency
Public computers relegated to cramped, poorly ventilated room that suffers consistent power surges or blackouts
Richmond Hill Public Library is funded by the Bryan County Board of Commissioners.
Fiscal Year 2017 Major Repair and Renovation
