01/13/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ professional study process. He said the proposed new library will have 115,000 square feet. The present library has 37,000 square feet or approximately .35 square feet of space per capita. Communities similar in size to Eugene generally have libraries that provide .7 to .8 square feet per capita. He said a larger library will be needed in the next 20 years if Eugene's population, education and income levels increase as predicted. Mr. Waters addressed the issue of building a major central library instead of several branch outlets. He said it is more cost effective to build a strong central library, and added that communities with branch libraries invariably invest first in a main library. He listed several cities such as Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane, Washington, where significant library improvement programs have been undertaken despite less than ideal economic climates. In Oregon, North Bend, West Linn, and Wilsonville have funded recent library projects. Mr. Waters said the consultants have recommended a new building be constructed. He said studies indicate it would not be cost effective to renovate the existing library. He urged the council to support the committee's proposal for a new building at a time when it would be most cost efficient. e Committee member Jim Saul said the new building program has four primary components: collection space, reading and seating space, staff work space, and unassignable space such as corridors and restrooms. He told the council committee members did not plan new functions for the library. The one exception was the committee's recommendation that there be increased computer and other electronic media usage. Mr. Saul said the committee also emphasized that any new library structure should retain a maximum capability for future adaption and expansion. One of the current library's problems is that the second floor and portions of the first floor cannot sustain an adequate amount of stack weight. He said the recommended size of 115,000 square feet was arrived at by calculating two primary variables: population and ratio of volumes per capita. He said the committee has made a judgement call in predicting that in 20 to 25 years the Eugene metropolitan area will have a population of approximately 200,000 people. The committee also recommended that the current volume per capita of 2.5 be maintained. Mr. Saul said the committee recommended that the new building not be built in phases. The rationale behind this was that it would not be cost effective to build a 90,000 square-foot library to last ten years when a 115,000 square-foot building can be constructed to last 20 to 25 years. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 13, 1988 Page 3