Estacada News August 17, 2005

The New Estacada Public Library

by David Bugni, Chair, Estacada Public Library Foundation
and Vic Cain, Chair, Library Citizens Advisory Committee
Part 2 of 3

The second part of this series will dwell on the design of the new library. The first part dealt with funding aspects and the last part will focus on the construction.

The architect in charge of design for the new library is SRG Partnership. They are from Portland and have designed numerous libraries as well as other types of buildings all across the country. They were selected to design the facility from a list of qualified architectural firms. This selection process took place in 2003.

The first task the architect completed was to assemble a programming document for our new library. This document, completed in October 2003, outlined the basic facets the library should possess and was a result of a number of publicly-attended information gathering sessions held in our community in 2003.

Secondly, the architect utilized the information gathered from an independently-conducted voter survey in November 2003, which was commissioned by the Estacada Public Library Foundation. This survey polled a random sampling of 5% of the registered voters within the school district (which is the geographic boundary of library users) and asked participating voters a series of questions. From a number of those questions, a prioritized list was established describing what improvements the library should have:

1. The highest priority was for more space for books and publications (73%)
2. More space for children’s services and programs (64%)
3. Improving access for the disabled and more space for computers (55%)
4. More programs for senior citizens (53%)
5. More space for reading rooms (46%)
6. Space for art exhibits (25%)
7. More public meeting rooms (22%)

Lastly, the architects borrowed from their own experiences and vision.

All of this information has yielded a building that is planned to possess the following characteristics:

1. A building of about 12,600 square feet. (The current library is about 2,800 square feet.) This new space addresses very well the greatest needs noted above. As noted in our last article, this square footage may be reduced by deferring construction of a separate community public meeting room if funds fall short of construction expenses. However, the architect plans to incorporate a smaller public meeting space within the remaining portion of the library, utilizing support spaces that were dedicated for the separate community public meeting room, if needed. The staff area constitutes about 16% of the entire library space, which is small compared to similar libraries.
2. A separation of quiet and non-quiet areas to provide greater comfort for patrons.
3. Exposed, clear-stained timber trusses and other beam work, celebrating Estacada’s timber-rich past, with a similar likeness to the existing library trusses.
4. The exterior of the building will have either a metal roof or a high quality asphalt composition roof, depending upon the cost, and the walls will be finished with a durable cement fiber-based product, such as a style of Hardiplank. The use of a natural wood-based wall product, such as board and batt cedar was considered, but not chosen, due to the higher long term maintenance costs.
5. A single story structure on a concrete slab, providing easy access for all patrons. To promote patron and staff comfort on the slab, durable carpeting with a pad will be installed in many areas. Tile will be used in the entry areas.
6. An economical heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, which has been designed not for a least expensive initial cost, but the least cost over a system service life. This will greatly minimize annual operating costs. The capability for natural ventilation has also been incorporated to further reduce operating costs when heating or air conditioning is not necessary. Energy efficient lighting arrangements will also be implemented.
7. A fireplace.
8. The ability to expand the building by 3,000 square feet when required and funds are available.

Please stop by the library if you are interested in seeing some recent architectural renderings of the new building and surrounding site.

To further reduce costs, the library staff will reuse existing furniture and equipment that is suitable and is also looking into available furniture donations, such as shelving units, tables, desks and chairs from businesses and other libraries. Also, the Library Foundation is taking donations of landscaping materials. All donated materials are tax deductible. If you are aware of any opportunities along these lines, please let the Library’s project manager, Dave Piper, know at 503-310-9094.