Village Spaces—Library, Village
Office and Police
A town hall discussion
February 2015
Colfax Municipal Building
Constructed in 1915
Population Growth
Year
Village of
Colfax
Town of
Colfax
1970
1,026
1980
1,149
499
660
1990
1,110
691
2000
1,136
909
2010
2014
Estimate
1,158
1,186
1,127
1,241
Concerns with the Current Building
•
•
•
•
•
1999 SEH Report indicated need for new village facility
Lack of program/meeting space
Lack of flexible space
Storage Space
ADA accessibility issues
–
–
–
–
Public Meetings
Restrooms
Outside access – ramp length and slope at door entrance
Interior access
Colfax Public Library
Colfax Public Library Snapshot
2014 Annual Report
Collection
2014
2000
Print Volumes
9,851
11,456
Audio Materials
1,313
521
Video Materials
1,063
660
41
41
Subscriptions
Colfax Public Library Snapshot
Library Use
Total Circulation
2014
2000
23,995
17,936
8,249
5,492
Adult
15,746
12,444
Library Visits per year
14,400
10,000
4,158
NA
6
1
1,800
1,800
Children’s Materials
Number of Users of Public Internet
Computers
Number of Public Use Internet Computers
Building Square Footage
Colfax Public Library Snapshot
Programs
2014
2000
Young Adult Programs
1
NA
Young Adult Program
Attendance
3
NA
Children’s Programs
68
28
1,692
640
Other Programs
72
5
Other Programs
Attendance
392
300
Children’s Program
Attendance
Colfax Library Service – Beyond the
Borders
• 1,288 card holders
– 358 Residents
– 930 Nonresident
• 72% of checkouts
from outside the
Village
– 9,495 items from
residents of the Town of
Colfax
• Checkouts by Location
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Village of Colfax
6,715
Town of Colfax
9,495
Town of Grant
1,622
Town of Tainter
1,444
Town of Elk Mound 1,359
Town of Howard
1,108
Town of Otter Creek 953
(Top locations)
Colfax Library Service—Beyond the
Borders
• Library Service Population
4,025
• Based on library circulation patterns
• 2014 population estimates
–
–
–
–
–
–
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Village
Town of Colfax
Town of Grant
Town of Tainter
Town of Elk Mound
Town of Howard
Town of Otter Creek
1,127
1,241
386
2,381
1,851
797
496
(Wisconsin Population & Housing Estimates – Dept. of Administration)
Colfax Library Service – Beyond the
Borders
• Library brings individuals into the
Village
• County funding supports library’s
operational budget for use by rural
residents
Concerns with the Library Space
• Lack of program/meeting space
• Lack of patron seating
• Space not designed for Technology, MORE and
courier materials
• Lack of flexible space
• Service and material needs have changed over
the decades
• Lack of accessible book drop
Concerns with the Library Space
• Lack of collection space
– 1963 Report (Colfax on the Red Cedar)
• The number of books now in the library 2,724 for juniors and
4,034 for adults
– New formats
• DVD
• Audio Books
• Music
• ADA accessibility issues
– Narrow aisles between shelves and tables
– Checkout desk
– Programs
Library Building
Interior
Library Building
Interior
Library Building
Interior
Programs
Larger Programs are held outdoors
Children’s
Table in the Children’s area doubles as a
staff workspace
Materials
Library Benefits
• Community Anchor
• Attract individuals to Colfax from surrounding
areas
• Early literacy and school readiness
• Technology training
• Internet Access
– Job Applications
– Tax forms
– Unemployment
Benefits of New Library
• Increased Children’s area
• Teen area
• Small group
meeting/study spaces
• Larger meeting space for
library and community
events
• Expanded collection
space
• Additional computers
• Increased patron seating
• Increase usage
• ADA accessible
• Energy Efficient
– Possibility for alternative
energy sources
• Sufficient electrical
outlets for computers and
other devices
• More efficient staff work
spaces
• Self-checkout of materials
• Curbside or more
accessible book drop
• Improved parking
Sustainability
Rain Garden – Cross Plains
Solar Panels—St. Croix Falls
Meeting Spaces
Study Rooms – McFarland
Study Room – St. Croix Falls
Meeting Spaces
Storytime Space – Cross Plains
Storytime Space-- Cumberland
Technology
St. Croix Falls
Computers--Neenah
Technology
iPad 2s for our patrons to check out and
use anywhere in the Library -- Cudahy
Sauk City—3D printer
Displays
Exhibit Cases -- River Falls
Local History -- Roberts
Activities
Community Puzzle – River Falls
Coffee Nook – Balsam Lake
Services
Book Club in a Bag – River Falls
Early Literacy Area--Amery
Spaces
Fireplace/Reading Area – St. Croix Falls
Fireplace/Reading Area -- Roberts
Spaces
Reading Area/Magazines – Prairie du Sac
Audio Books – St. Croix Falls
Spaces
Trempealeau
Black River Falls
Concerns with Village Office
• Need for space for elections and meetings
• Secure/private record storage area
• Need for Staff workspace
– Copier
– Supplies
– Deputy Clerk
• Lack of reception area
Village Office
Board Meeting
Storage
Village Office
Deputy Clerk/Board Meeting
Administrator’s Office
Village Office
Record Storage
Police Department Needs
• Secured Interview Room
• Police Garage
– 2 squad cars
– large evidence storage
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•
•
•
Patrol Room
Electronic Access System to limit access
Large Conference Room/Training
Restroom with Shower (decontamination)
Police Department
Access from Village Building via stairs
Shared work space
Police Department
Exterior access/Lack of security
Basement Area
Basement Area
Possible Solutions for Colfax
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Build a new standalone library
Build a new multipurpose village building
Remodel and expand the current building
Remain in the current space
Build a new standalone library
• Positives
– Flexible design to meet current and future needs
– Maximize library visibility
– Parking
Build a new standalone library
• Potential Negatives
– Potential duplication of meeting spaces and
restrooms with current village building
– Needs of Village Hall and Police unmet
Build a new multipurpose village
building
• Positives
– Flexible design to meet current and future needs
– Collaborative project
– Shared meeting spaces; heating and cooling and
restrooms
• More cost effective to share spaces
– Meet the needs of the library, village hall, and
police
– Parking
Build a new multipurpose village
building
• Potential Negatives
– Space layout could be less efficient
– Need to design for access and security of different
functions with potential for additional costs
– Lot size will impact design
• Single story versus two story
Remodel and expand the current
building
• Positives
– Downtown visibility
– Maintain historical building
Remodel and expand the current
building
• Possible Negatives
– Cost to meet code and maintain historical integrity
– Environmental hazards
• Lead
• Asbestos
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Loss of green space
Parking
Little room for outward expansion
Potentially less flexible design
Structural needs of the library
Multiple floor access
• Elevator costs
• Emergency exiting
Remain in the current space
• Positives
– No immediate costs
Remain in the current space
• Potential Negatives
– Inefficient public service
– Not ADA Compliant
– Public meetings
– Lack of parking