The Guilderland Public Library is bursting at its seams, according to its Board of Trustees, and they hope to remedy the situation by expanding the building by 19,000 square feet.
Built in 1992, the building is already in need of renovations, according to library officials. In order to keep up with growing demands, the Board of Trustees and the Growing for Generations Committee, a group of community members assembled by the trustees, hired architect Frank X. Craine from Peter Gisolfi Associates in November to come up with a plan for expansion.
Craine’s vision for the library is to expand it from 26,575 square feet to 45,575 square feet. His plans would increase the parking lot from 84 to 125 spots and would include enhancing outdoor reading spaces, solar gain and a roof garden.
It’s what we call a sustainable space, he said. `It’s about gaining usable space. Instead of just having a roof, you’re gaining an educational center.`
Craine said that the 4 inches of garden on the roof will also reduce storm-water runoff, lower the temperature around the building and act as a natural thermal insulator, which will reduce the building’s energy costs.
He said he is following the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, guidelines, which were developed by the United States Green Building Council.
`We are always looking to build a ‘green’ building,` he said.
The additions that Craine has outlined will cost $12.1 million.
In 2003, the trustees developed written criteria, called the `strategic long-range plan,` for the library to follow in order to better serve the community in the future. Under this plan, the library has acquired wireless access for computer use, remote access to the library’s collection such as downloadable audio and electronic books, an English as a Second Language program and a strong focus on teen services and collection development, among others.
In 2006, the Growing for Generations Committee was created to review the strategic long-range plan’s progress.
The committee wrote a report to the Board of Trustees in April 2007 discussing their conclusions that stated, `The Guilderland Public Library will soon reach a ceiling in its ability to meet community needs unless significant action is taken relating to increasing available space in which services are provided.`
It went on to say that there are still factors in the strategic long-range plan that have not been addressed yet, despite the library’s progress, such as growing demographics and a dramatic increase in the use of the library.
`We started feeling the physical need in 2005,` said Library Director Barbara Nichols Randall.
Nichols Randall attributed the need for an expansion just 15 years after the library was built to Guilderland’s increasing population. `The amount of people that use the library is a reflection of that growth,` she said.
Nichols Randall said that the expansion will be able to meet the needs of the community by having a larger space dedicated to local history, an increase in the children’s area so that two story times can be going on at once and more area to hold meetings.
In regard to the building being `green` Nichols Randall said, `It’s definitely the way to go. By renovating the building in that way, it will cut utility costs for the community and help the environment.`
A member of the public and former trustee, Merry Sparano, agrees. She said that her favorite aspect about the proposed design is its eco-friendly approach, `It’s a good way to educate the public.` Sparano said that she visits the library about three or four times a year and that she particularly enjoys its programs such as the Big Read speakers, and the Second Sunday concert series.
`I think the library is becoming the cultural center of the community,` she said.
Sparano said that she also feels that the library doesn’t have enough space and supports the expansion, but is worried about the cost.
`Everyone would like to build something with all the bells and whistles, but it might not be fiscally responsible.`
Nichols Randall said that to help raise money for the expansion, the Growing for Generations Committee will apply for grants such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority or NYSERDA. The Guilderland Public Library Foundation has also raised $28,000, though that money is not officially for the expansion, yet.
The next step in the process, according to Nichols Randall, is obtaining additional reports, such as a geothermal survey, and organizing focus groups within the community to make sure the public is supportive.
Nichols Randall said the one thing that she would like people to know is, `the trustees, the committee, the staff, the architects and I are just trying to make a wonderful place even better.“
