Beyond the Shelves: Summer Reading & More at Hayner Library | Our Daily Show Interview
ALTON/GODFREY - The Hayner Public Library District has made headlines in recent weeks as they begin the process of designing a new building. Executive Director Mary Cordes shared more about where they are in this process and what people can expect.
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“It’s one of the things where we don’t even know if we can do a new library. We’re still in the very early stages. We’re trying to figure this whole thing out,” she said.
Cordes emphasized that the library might not ultimately build a new building, but it’s one of the options on the table. At their most recent meeting, the library’s Board of Directors agreed to work with a design-build firm to begin designing a new library building.
But, Cordes noted, in order to find a design-build firm, the Board must first hire another firm to write a request for proposals. The design-build firms will then submit their qualifications and proposals to be considered.
Currently, the library is negotiating a contract with a design professional/architectural firm. After this contract is signed, Hayner will sit down with the firm and talk about what they need from a design-build firm.
“We’re just in the first step of a two-step process,” she said. “It’s a huge project.”
Cordes acknowledged that there are a lot of questions from community members who want to know why Hayner can’t purchase an existing building and convert it into a library. She specifically recognized McKinley School as one of the first ideas that occurred to her.
However, a library requires its building to support 150 pounds per square foot for live load. Most buildings are only designed to handle 50–60 pounds per square foot. While Hayner could reinforce the floors, the foundations weren’t poured to hold that much weight, either.
“You’re looking into basically rebuilding an entire structure, and then you’re still trying to fit its needs versus it fitting your needs,” Cordes explained. “But we are looking at everything, and I understand why people are asking about these buildings because I myself was asking these same questions.”
As Hayner prepares for these next steps, the Board and staff members are thinking about what a new library would look like. They have over 200,000 physical items in their collection, as well as a need for offices, performance spaces, IT space, study rooms, and more.
Cordes noted that their current facilities don’t have big community spaces, but there’s a need for this in the area. Hayner wants to “be receptive to that demand” and supply community members with the space and experiences they need.
“We know what the public needs, and it’s more community spaces. We’re trying to figure out how to provide those most cost-efficiently and in the best location,” she said. “We’re trying to find a place that’s central, that meets the needs of the building for the size of the building, and then trying to figure out if it’s financially feasible. The last thing we want to do as a library is be financially irresponsible. So we have to make sure we can actually make this work for the public.”
She added that a new building would serve the community for several decades, so their team is thinking far into the future. They have discovered that “it’s actually more financially responsible and feasible” to build a new facility rather than reconstructing their current locations or another building.
The library is also considering where a new building would be located. As Hayner serves Alton, Godfrey and Foster Township, it’s important to make sure a new building is centrally located and accessible to all residents.
Cordes encourages people to keep an eye out for more information about the library’s plans in the coming months.
“It feels like a slow process, but that’s because it has to be, because this has to be done correctly and it needs to be done with long-term thinking in mind and being financially responsible,” she added.
To learn more about Hayner Public Library District, visit their official website.
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