FACT SHEET: Mercer Island Library Remodel
Related to comments and statements by the public
1.
The existing library does not need to be totally remodeled. The interior and furnishings
are in very good condition and repair. We love our library as it is now.
The Mercer Island Library was built in 1991 and renovated in 2002. Now more than thirteen
years later, the use and needs of the library have changed. With an annual circulation of more
than 485,000 items (a 48% increase over 2002) and foot traffic exceeding 220,000 people, the
library has received considerable use. This, together with escalating demands for Internet
connectivity and workspace for patrons’ personal laptops, tablets, readers and other digital
devices, necessitates interior improvements in order for the building to continue meeting the
needs of the community, now and into the next decade.
Infrastructure: Electrical Outlets and Internet Capacity
The remodel will enable the library to meet increased demands for online access now and in
the future, by increasing electrical and data infrastructure, and building additional capacity for
new technologies as they become available.
Interior: Acoustics, Lighting, Seating and Work Space
Increased patron traffic creates additional noise in the library, causing issues with acoustics in
the building. The remodel will help reduce ambient sound and make it easier for all patrons to
co-exist, especially during busy after school hours. Over the years, KCLS has received many
comments about the noise level and we are addressing this issue with the remodel.
Additionally, there are times when the library is at capacity and there simply isn’t enough space
for everyone in the building. The new floor plan reconfigures space to add new seating,
including constructing a meeting room that can be adapted for quiet space when not in use,
plus two new study rooms for tutoring and quiet study.
Additionally, technology necessitates that seating and work space is near power outlets, a
configuration that was inconceivable during the last renovation in 2002. The remodel will also
improve lighting and replace worn out shelves, furniture and carpeting. In addition, significant
ADA modifications to staff space are required.
2. The library interior is beautiful and friendly, with lots of warm wood accents. The
proposed changes, with an emphasis on glass and lighter shades of paint and wood, are
unacceptable.
KCLS will revise the interior pallet to reflect the desire for darker wood, while still working
toward the goal of improving lighting throughout the building, especially in reading and work
spaces.
3. The skylight is a striking design feature. Covering it up would be an architectural crime.
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FACT SHEET: Mercer Island Library Remodel
Related to comments and statements by the public
The skylight will remain an architectural feature. The new plan adapts the framing above the
current screen to increase ambient light. The current screen covering the skylight will be
modified to reduce glare and help with acoustics in the open space. Adjusting the screen will
mitigate the amount of glare on computer screens below, while still allowing indirect light into
the center of the building. The new screen also will support additional lighting fixtures for
illumination after dark.
4. The KCLS process for gathering and processing public input has been poor. For instance,
the “final” plans reviewed at the last meeting were not available before the meeting.
Progress reports concerning planning activities were never posted at the library. The existing
KCLS schedule does not accommodate community input.
To encourage public input, KCLS holds two public meetings for each bond project. The first
meeting is held at the beginning of the project, during the planning process, and seeks public
comments while the design is still flexible. The second meeting is held once the preliminary
designs have progressed, with project architects explaining whether input from earlier
meetings was able to be utilized. During the second public meeting, additional input is gathered
from the community.
Comments sent to bondconstruction@kcls.org are accepted at any time throughout the
process. To publicize the public meetings, postcards are sent to all households in the city zip
code, materials are available in the library and information is posted on kcls.org.
For the Mercer Island Library upgrade, the first meeting was held June 13, 2013. More than 40
Mercer Island residents attended. The current proposed design took their comments into
consideration and public comments from the January 7, 2014 meeting will likewise be
considered for the final plan.
5. Other cities have library advisory boards that participate in the library planning process.
Since the KCLS does not effectively consider or use public input, the Council should quickly
appoint an official advisory board to work with KCLS.
The primary purpose of Library Advisory Boards is to act as a bridge between the local
community and the local library by collecting community input and communicating with the
City, KCLS and library staff about needs in the community that the local library can assist in
addressing. KCLS actively encourages all communities to appoint Library Advisory Boards and
values the opportunity to work with them.
6. The increase in funds for remodel represents a change in scope which should be reviewed
with the Mercer Island community. The 2004 bond issue allocated $730,000 for Mercer
Island. Last June we were informed that the Mercer Island budget was $1.6 million. Now the
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FACT SHEET: Mercer Island Library Remodel
Related to comments and statements by the public
budget is $3.4 million. Apparently, other KCLS library improvements were completed below
budgeted allocations.
The increased project budget for Mercer Island Library is not being funded by reducing the
scope of other capital projects. The scope for the Mercer Island project was not increased over
the original plan, but rather the original plan dollars turned out to be insufficient for the
intended scope due to structural issues with the building. The increased cost is being funded
primarily from two sources -- the under budget savings from the Federal Way 320th Library
project (resulting from a smooth construction process) and the KCLS general fund.
7. Mercer Island believes that the extra available funds be used to build and support
libraries in communities that truly need better library services, as the Mercer Island Library
does not require extensive remodeling.
The plans for the interior renovation of Mercer Island are more than cosmetic: They expand the
library’s capacity for computers, seating, work space, improved lighting and acoustics. The
modifications need to be made in advance of the growing demand and are intended to enhance
library quality for the patrons of today and for years to come. The renovation will also allow
KCLS to address necessary ADA issues and other building maintenance issues.
8. Ask the City Council to request that KCLS follows the written plan in their “Strategic
Planning Guidelines for Library Improvement Modifications,” (April 2013) as noted on page 5:
“Original Plan
·
Essential maintenance and upkeep over the next ten years
·
Access to more books and materials
·
Automated materials-handling system to speed delivery and reduce theft
·
Planning and design start date: 2013
·
Anticipated start of construction: Late 2013/early 2014
“Potential modification: fund from the General Operating Fund versus Capital Fund
“Rationale: preserve the capacity to equitably address all the projects voted on in the
2004 Capital Bond Measure”
The only modification to the plan was eliminating the AMH System, as has been done in other
libraries. At Mercer Island Library, the structure of the backroom space could not accommodate
the equipment without extensive further renovations, modifications and cost.
9. It is unacceptable to reduce the shelves for adult and teen books and media by 28%, from
1,410 to 1,020 shelves.
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FACT SHEET: Mercer Island Library Remodel
Related to comments and statements by the public
The current collections for Mercer Island Library are not being reduced. The library collection
currently holds around 61,000 items, which is what we plan to open the remodeled library with.
The shelf count is merely being brought into line with what is actually used. Collection capacity
is always more than the actual collection on the shelves because a certain percentage of the
collection is checked out at any given time.
It’s also important to note that in response to growing demand for virtual materials, patrons
also have access to an increasing array of downloadable books, audio books, and other
electronic information resources. KCLS is also not reducing the size of the overall System
collection; rather items that circulate less often from individual libraries are shifted to the Just
in Time collection and Central Storage, where they are still available for check out through the
KCLS catalog.
10. The proposed plan eliminates the display case by the front doors used by community
groups to inform the community.
While the display area currently by the front door will be removed for access to the Children’s
area, KCLS will still be providing a community information space as is the practice in all libraries.
It will be near the entry of the library.
11. The proposed plan reduces the number of shelves space used by the Friends of the
Mercer Island Library by 39%, from 33 to 20. The Friends uses proceeds from books sales to
support unfunded library support and projects.
Friends of the Mercer Island Library will still have display space. The new space will be eyelevel, which is much easier for patrons to navigate. This should improve access to the Friends’
book sale area. Like many other groups, the Friends have also started selling books online
through Thrift Books, which reduces space required in the building.
12. What about a temporary site during the closure?
Construction is expected to last approximately 6-10 months. During that time there will be a
temporary location less than a mile from the current library location, at Trinity Lutheran Church
on the corner of 40th and 85th. In addition to holds pick up, a browsing collection and public
computers, the temporary site will offer Story Times and children’s programs every Thursday.
The library has also been working with the JCC, Boys and Girls, Parks and Recreation and Senior
housing and other organizations to secure venues for Adult and Teen programs. These
arrangements will not be finalized until the closing dates are confirmed. KCLS is also planning to
add community runs to the Library2Go! mobile vehicle, bringing the KCLS Tech Lab into the
community for computer classes, and teen and children’s librarians will continue with their
usual school visits. This will be business as usual for our librarians, who are focused on serving
patrons online, in the community and in the library.
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