Roanoke City officials have announced plans for construction of a “superbranch” library on an 11-acre vacant parcel of land, located near the intersection of Cove Road and Peters Creek Road.
Purchase of the land for the new library by Roanoke City in early October follows the renovation and expansion of two city branch libraries, Gainsboro and Jackson Park, and the completion of two electronic [e-branch] facilities at Garden City Recreation Center and Valley View Mall.
The decision concerning location was based on several demographics, including traffic count, bus routes and a strategic location that “would put us where our users need us, within one or two miles of where they live or work,” said Director of Roanoke City Libraries, Sheila Umberger. Also, “a need will be filled in this area, which is underserved,” she added. The price tag attached to the land was approximately $775,000.
The first library branch to be built in the city since the 1970’s will in many ways resemble a modern bookstore. A drive-through window for easier access, a café, more space and plenty of parking are some of the attributes envisioned in the plan for the new library. Merchandising is the current dictum in progressive public libraries.
In the early 1990’s the larger bookstores created lounge areas similar to those in libraries. Now libraries throughout the country are beginning to provide some of the amenities that are available in the larger bookstores.
The President of the City of Roanoke Library’s Advisory Board, Stan Breakell, remarked that the retail customer service model is a convenient and easy way to get “hot picks” displayed, as they would be in a store. “This is an opportunity to create a much needed, state-of-the-art, full-service facility from the ground up.”
The new 30,000 square feet full-service library will also feature more books, a “themed” children’s area to be created by a renowned designer who has worked in other libraries. It will feature 100 computer workstations, and like the other branches, will include a teen space and community rooms that can be used for events and tutoring.
Breakell noted that “from 2005 through 2009, Roanoke City libraries has seen the programs offered annually increase in number from 175 to 1,690; the annual attendance at the programs increase from 4,176 to 45,695; participation in summer reading programs increase from 1,800 to 4,400 children; and the number of users of the library increase from 424,000 to 669,000, an increase of 63 percent.”
The president of general contractor Breakell Inc. noted that, “[City Manager] Darlene Burcham … Sheila Umberger and staff have been pivotal in making this happen. Sheila Umberger has been pivotal in delivering the goods.”
SFCS Inc. in Roanoke will serve as lead architect and will be teamed with PSA-Dewberry of Dallas, Texas. A fee of $724,860 was negotiated with SFCS Inc. for the necessary programming, planning, architectural and engineering services including LEED certification for the full service library. The SFCS-PSA Newberry team was selected out of 16 proposals that were received by the city’s selection committee.
Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham said, “It may be hard to imagine today, but in just a little over two years, we’re going to see the newest centerpiece to the city’s ever improving library system.” She noted that the goal is to make the building “LEED Platinum,” a rigorous rating point system addressing six categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process.
The Capital Improvement Program that Roanoke City Council adopted will fund construction of the new library. “It is anticipated that construction will begin in late summer 2011 and be completed in fall 2012. The estimated length of construction is 14-16 months,” said Roanoke City Engineer Phil Schirmer.
By Susan Ayers [email protected]