Henderson County Public Library to break ground in weeks on expansion

HENDERSON, Ky. - An $8.4 million expansion of the Henderson County Public Library that has been in the planning stages for years is set to actually kick off within weeks.

With a groundbreaking planned for next month or in April, library officials and board members are sharing a more detailed look at what the project will look like inside and out. (See accompanying gallery of more than a dozen images if you are reading online, or go to www.thegleaner.com.)

The expansion and renovation project will add more than 18,000 square feet to the existing 21,600 square feet of space. When finished, the library complex will occupy the entire first block of Washington Street from Water Street to Main -- although an undeveloped green space and patio area will remain along Water Street.

The original white limestone library building opened in 1904 -- funded by famed philanthropist Andrew Carnegie -- still fronts Main Street.

Full-color rendering of the Henderson County Public Library facility expansion and renovation project.

Connected behind, and now housing the main entrance, is the more modern section of the library completed in 1980 (although a new children's department was added in that building in 2000).

Now the library will expanded into its current main parking area off of Water and Washington streets, with a new parking area being added to the space next door where a heating and air business once stood.

The current library entrance on Washington Street will remain, although the new main entrance to the library will be part of the expansion and will be accessible just off the new parking lot on the side toward Powell Street.

A news release from the library said this project will "provide increased library services and opportunities for Henderson County residents. Additions and improvements include an expanded teen department, quiet study rooms, a tech-friendly 'Maker Space,' a dedicated computer training lab, and large-group meeting rooms with a catering kitchen."

Library Director Caleb May said this project will fulfill the ongoing vision of the library board and staff.

"Expanding the library is vitally important in allowing us to better serve a broad range of community members from various socio-economic and educational backgrounds,” he said.

Full-color rendering of the Henderson County Public Library facility expansion and renovation project.

“We are committed to bringing more opportunities to the Henderson County patrons we serve. Our library board of trustees, our staff, and the community have worked together with architects and planners to design this new library space to function efficiently, while providing means to improve life-long learning, offer a public gathering space, and a safe place for families.

"Our trustees have planned our finances for many years and we are prepared to contribute $2 million to the project at the beginning. The remaining $6.4 million required for the project will be financed through tax-exempt general bonds. “

Completion of the project is expected by fall or winter 2020.

In a Gleaner story last year about the planned expansion, May said the library services roughly 500 people per day.

Full-color rendering of the Henderson County Public Library facility expansion and renovation project.

"In 2017, 379,768 items were borrowed from the library; approximately 8,500 people participated in 770 plus meetings at the library and our meeting space is very small," May said then. "We have no idea the number of people who don't ask to meet here because they know the meeting rooms are too small."

Full-color rendering of the Henderson County Public Library facility expansion and renovation project.

In addition, "There were roughly 89,343 electronic materials checked out in 2017; and more than 1,000 programs attended by 20,700 plus patrons. There were 31,000 plus computer sessions and 6,900 internet sessions that occurred at the library in 2017," May said.

Plans for the expansion and renovation may be viewed at the library and also in a special display window at the former JC Penney’s building downtown, next door to Simon's Shoes on Main Street.

In addition to library staff, the expansion/remodeling team includes Hafer Design, Skinner Design Associates, and Empire Construction.

Full-color rendering of the Henderson County Public Library facility expansion and renovation project.
https://www.thegleaner.com/story/news/2019/02/20/henderson-county-public-library-break-ground-weeks-expansion/2926704002/
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