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Renovation 2014. Preserving the Past | Preparing for the Future.
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Renovation 2014 Preserving the Past | Preparing for the Future The renovation we are planning seeks to preserve the past by maintaining the character and feel of this beautiful building, while also preparing for the future by building in greater flexibility in our spaces, and addressing functional issues having to do with changes we are already experiencing.
1989 The story of this building begins 25 years ago in 1989, when Westbank Library moved out of the Texas Commerce Bank into our first library building. It looked like any house in the neighborhood, constructed with wood framing and a mix of wood and stone siding. The original part of the building, currently the adult wing of our building, was 5000 square feet.
1989 • It had: • Space for a card catalog • A puzzle table in the children’s area repurposed from a pattern table • A collection of 22,000 items, including VHS tapes. • A single service desk for checkouts and answering questions
1989 • We also had: • One computer for staff use – none for the public • A teen section that comprised three shelves of books • Programs that happened in the stacks • In our first 10 years, over 750,000 people passed through the doors!
2000 Out of room, we added 10,000 square feet in 2000. Architect Tim Aynesworth was careful to pay tribute to the original design while creating a building that was larger and that functioned better for how people were now using the library.
2000 We added a large meeting room, a quiet reading room, a story time corner, more staff spaces, more computers for people to use, and plumbing that worked properly.
2000 We had tax funding by this time, but we hadn’t had it very long, so fundraising was required to help raise the $2.3 million required for the project. We also borrowed around $1 million, which was paid off over the next few years with careful budgeting of tax revenues.
2000 Our collection grew to over 60,000 items and we increased our programming. Between 2000 and 2009, 1.8 million more people passed through the doors at Westbank. Once again, we were overflowing our meeting spaces and holding programs in the stacks.
2009 Out of room, we used a combination of saved tax revenues ($2.4 m), fund-raising ($1m), and a loan of $2.1m to build Laura’s Library (construction $5.5 m all inclusive). We have paid about half of that loan, and the balance (a little over $1m), which is at around 3%, should be paid off in the next few years.
2014 Westbank’s popularity did not decline with the building of Laura’s. We have had a total of about 3.7 million visitors since Westbank opened in 1989. It’s now been 14 years since any major work has been done. On the outside, we need to replace wood siding, paint, repair stonework, rework some landscaping, repave the parking lot, and build a fire exit ramp. Our signage needs upgrading.
2014 On the inside, the most critical issue we have to deal with is the installation of a fire sprinkler system, replacing the fire wall system. As this means removing the ceiling grid, we will take this opportunity to improve the lighting and acoustics.
2014 • Additionally, • staff spaces need reworking. • some of our furniture is in need of replacing. • we need more plugs for people bringing their devices. • we need to improve our internet and wifi, and upgrade some of our computers.
2014 • Our marquee has lost its luster. • We have a combination of old and new carpeting, including carpet that goes up the walls. • Stair treads need replacing. • Walls need painting.
2014 • We are working with Studio 8 Architects, who designed Laura’s, to draw up plans for this renovation. We are still in the early stages, figuring out how we get everything to fit and work the way we want it to. Some of the things we are considering in this renovation: • enclosing the children’s area • creating a featured area with comfortable seating • moving sitting and study areas nearer to windows • creating a collaboration room; collaboration and quiet rooms will allow for flexible use • creating a single service desk
2014 • Upstairs we are considering • reworking staff spaces • partitioning the meeting room • adding vending • Overall our goals are to: • maintain the feel of Westbank Library • create flexible spaces that will serve us for the next 10-15 years • address noise issues • create more comfortable seating options • develop collaboration spaces • serve the public better through creation of a single service desk
2014 These images are just schematic, to show you some of the things we are considering in this renovation. We will choose finishes and colors in keeping with the library’s history and architecture.
2014 These pictures show a fresh book sale room with vending outside and a partitionable meeting room. We will post more accurate drawings on our blog as decisions are made.
Renovation 2014 We have been saving for this renovation, and we expect to complete it without taking out additional loans or doing extra fundraising. We expect it to cost about $2 million, all inclusive. Every year we set aside a portion of the tax revenues we receive in order to be prepared for maintenance expense on our two facilities. We are grateful for a community that support us and appreciates what an asset a neighborhood library is. Preserving the Past | Preparing for the Future more information: westbanklibrary.com/blog
