Planning The Plymouth Library: Doing It Right Sarah Johnson University of St. Thomas December 13, 2006

Imagine this library… Small collection Children’s area in middle of library Too few computers Dangerous parking lot

Current Plymouth Library Opened in 1995 Already obsolete due to: Demographics Poor Design Absence of Technology

Planning the new Plymouth Library Two Main Goals: Design a library with flexibility to meet needs of growing population Design a library based on community input

Research Question Can we provide community input that will be used in planning the new Plymouth library?

Methodology Community Conversations meeting Posed series of questions to public at meetings In-library survey

Research Participants Patrons of Plymouth library Elected officials Other interested parties

Community Conversations Two Community Conversations held in June, 2005: –One on Thursday night –One on Saturday morning Over 80 people attended representing full range of ages

In-Library Survey Administered at different times during a week in October, responses from patrons

Data Gathered: Community Conversations What do you want from your library that you’re not getting now? More space everywhere! Expanded collection Increased access to technology Larger, more well-designed parking lot

Data Gathered: In-Library Survey Questions Which of the following current library services do you frequently use? 84% check out books, videos and other materials 51% access library catalog to reserve materials 41% internet browsing/ /online research

Data Gathered: In-Library Survey Questions How important is the following in relation to the renovation of the Plymouth library? Very important: 89% Collection of books, videos and other materials 57% Adequate parking 43% Physical space

Data Gathered: In-Library Survey Questions How important is the following in relation to the renovation of the Plymouth library? Not important: 59% Access to public transportation 41% Providing storytimes and other programs for children

Data Gathered: In-Library Survey Questions Which library do you plan to use while Plymouth is closed? 54% Ridgedale 21% Wayzata 9% Rockford Road 8% Maple Grove

Results of Community Conversations and Survey Data shows that patrons want: Expanded collection More physical space Increased access to technology Larger, better designed parking lot

Feasibility Study Conducted HCL Staff, Designers and Architects took community input and came up with preliminary design for new library

Results of Feasibility Study Expanded collection: materials will increase from 82,000 to over 100,000 Increased access to technology: number of computers will increase from the current 38 to 85 in new library Larger, better designed parking lot: Spaces will increase from 85 to 175

“New” library features Sustainable design and environmentally friendly features “Separate” children’s area Better able to respond to the needs of a growing community

What does this mean? Based on the architect’s final plan for Plymouth library, community feedback has been utilized

Future Uses for Research Starting point for renovation for other libraries in system- patrons seemed to be respondent to community conversations meetings and surveys

Recommendations Patrons are passionate about libraries- as much involvement as possible helps build great facilities!

Questions?