Middleton Public Library
Building Feasibility Study
2015
Reason for a
Building Feasibility Study:
• Long range planning
• Changing roles
of public libraries
Library Building Feasibility Study
Status: Information Gathering Phase
Who? Library Board & Staff, Building Committee
Dimension IV
Library Consultant (SCLS)
City Plan Commission
MCPA School District
The public listening sessions and online surveys helped
us collect more than 700 individual comments!
Future Trends Taskforce
Library Staff Survey and small group sessions
Structural Analysis
The Middleton Public Library’s Mission Statement is
to make a positive
difference in the quality
of life in our community by…
offering a safe and welcoming environment in an aesthetically pleasing and
conveniently organized facility;
supplying free and open access to knowledge and information, and the
diversity of ideas to all, while protecting the privacy of library patrons;
meeting the informational, educational, and recreational
needs of the community through information collections, resources,
programming and outreach;
and providing highly competent library staff members to assist, guide, and
instruct the public in the use of library resources and information gathering.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE MIDDLETON PUBLIC LIBRARY
On February 27, 1927, the members of the
Middleton Progressive Women’s Club
started a library by donating a shelf’s worth
of books, which were made available at the BurmeisterKruse Department Store, located at the northwest corner of
Hubbard and Parmenter.
Historical
Overview of the
Middleton Public
Library
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE MIDDLETON PUBLIC LIBRARY
1927
1930 & 1948
1958
1964
1974
1990
2004
20-25 years from now
Facility conditions affect our
ability to carry out our mission
and provide efficient &
favorable services.
The Building Feasibility Study is
the Library’s
LONG TERM
planning tool.
Middleton Public Library
current building is
25 years old.
Our current facility is not designed for
today’s Technology.
Middleton Public Library
Community Scan Day Event
Service desks and 4 of the 6 restrooms
do not meet Accessibility Code
requirements and ADA guidelines.
Archer Meeting Room kitchen does not meet
Accessibility Code requirements.
Updated kitchen
facilities and
appropriate
storage space is
needed.
Public access to the meeting rooms is not within sightline of library
staff and is a security issue for both staff and patrons.
Wiring was designed for technology used in 2003.
Storage for children’s events and programs is currently in the closet
originally intended for meeting room furniture and equipment (now
stored in the furnace room.)
Staff brings towels and library toys home to be washed.
We’ve outgrown our Youth Services spaces.
Middleton Public Library need!
Inside, storytime often exceeds fire
code regulations. Teen area is
congested & too narrow for
wheelchairs and strollers...
and Outside learning space is in
the parking lot, near the railroad
tracks.
Traditional libraries:
Librarians &
Library materials
____________
books mp3s magazines,
DVDs
CDs ebooks laptops toys
audiobooks reference databases kindles
newspapers games software
seeds digital magazines tablets
Middleton Public Library
well-loved!
Today’s public libraries have a new role
Common themes:
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Technology and digital resources
Makerspaces & creation spaces
Innovation
Collaborative & interactive learning
Support for families & youth
Community engagement
Live demonstrations & performances
Promotion of health & wellness
Library as Destination
21st Century Library
Technology & digital resources
Tutor.com: Feb. 2015
21st Century Library
Makerspaces & creation spaces
21st Century Library
Innovation:
STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts & Math)
21st Century Library
Collaborative & interactive learning
21st Century Library
Support for families and youth!
21st Century Library
Community engagement projects
Community Garden events
and Seed Library
with Public Lands Department
Community Canvases with Arts Board
21st Century Library
Live demonstrations &
performances
21st Century
Library
Focus on health &
wellness
21st Century
Library
Library as
Destination
For example: The
natural light at the
Fargo Public Library
draws area residents to
the community space.
How is new space reflected
in recent, local library
building projects?
• Meeting space, hosting space
• More technology
• Flexible design
• Maker spaces
Westport Library MakerSpace, CT
Source: www.makerlibrarian.com
Verona Public
Library
Fitchburg
Public Library
Madison Central
Library
Others:
Sun Prairie &
Waunakee
Middleton is growing!
New Bishop’s Bay & new apartments will
increase Middleton’s population by
approximately 6,000 new residents
in the next 5-10 yrs and 8,000 in 10-20 yrs.
The Library must be prepared for change!
Main reasons for the Library Building
Feasibility Study:
• Long range planning
• Changing roles of public
libraries
Examples of “Must Haves”
Dependable roof
Reliable HVAC system
Accessible service desks, restrooms & spaces
Safe flooring
Safe and accessible entrances
Reliable technology infrastructure
Safe & comfortable space for youth
Efficient, accessible and safe floor plan for the
public and staff
• “Ideal” presence downtown
• Safe & welcoming environment
• Expanded technology for rapidly changing
digital & online resources
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Library Board & Building Committee..
• Value feedback from all stakeholders!
• The public
listening sessions and
online surveys helped us collect more than
700 individual comments!
• Keep checking: www.midlibrary.org/feasibility
for more information!
Next steps:
• Develop the Strategic Facilities Objectives
• Develop the Strategic Facilities Plan
• Funding Plan (capital & operations)
• Public dissemination and discussion of the
Strategic Facilities Plan
• Evaluation matrix
• More surveys
• Community assessments
• Library Board discussion – public meeting
• City Council discussion – public meeting
• Then, Design Workshops – public input
Libraries build communities…
…communities build libraries.
On behalf of the Middleton Public Library
Board of Trustees:
Angela West Blank, President
Jeremiah Tucker,Vice President
Lisa Helmuth,Secretary
Miriam Share – City Council Liaison
Christopher Clay
Joan Gillman
Anne Irish
Deb Smith
Steve Soeteber - MCPASD
THANK YOU!