Two new libraries are coming to Dothan, AL, with the October 17 groundbreaking for the 23,000 square foot downtown Main Library and the 13,000 square foot Westgate Park Branch. Designed by architect J. Michael Lee of Dothan as a replacement for the Houston-Love Memorial Library, the new Main Library will encompass outdoor reading areas, a 100-seat meeting room, a business center, and dedicated children’s and teen spaces. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2013. The Westgate Park Branch will be located within a popular sports complex. Architect Lee has incorporated into his design a 50-seat meeting area, study rooms, outdoor spaces, and additional room for programming for all ages. The $8 million funding for the buildings comes from private donations, a Local Community Foundation Grant, the City of Dothan, and the Houston County Commission.
Banks Public Library, OR, part of the Washington County Cooperative Library, recently finished a six-week addition, but that is only half of the story. The 3,000 square foot, $144,000 remodel, which was completed in July, made room for the library’s 29,000-item collection by taking over the community room space while also renovating the lobby, per the Oregonian. Now the library has big plans to re-create the community room in a 1,000 square foot space outside of the library proper, accessible to residents. Phase 2 will cost about $350,000; fundraising efforts have already begun.
The nearly 40-year-old Ottawa Public Library, Ont., downtown branch is about to get a new lease on life with the recommendation from the facilities and planning committee to refurbish the 90,500 square foot structure. The cost of a “redesigned and refreshed” branch is estimated at between $20 million and $25 million, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Though still costly, this option was chosen over maintaining the building as it is and the construction of a two-story, 9,000 square foot addition.
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