Is this the face of the new North Peoria branch of the public library? That’s one idea in the library’s $35 million plan:
A proposed new 35,000-square-foot branch would cost $11 million, and include a computer lab and large children’s area. Szynaka suggested a vacant building, such as K’s Merchandise, which is going out of business, could even be retrofitted.
I suppose it’s fitting for the suburbs to have a plain-vanilla building for their library. Still, it’s a shame that civic structures warrant no special architecture anymore. Architecture — especially for civic buildings — was supposed to inspire and delight; now most buildings are “designed” more by engineers than architects, always with efficiency being paramount and aesthetics being an afterthought or add-on. The library deserves better.
On the one hand, I appreciate their willingness to consider reusing an existing building. But that building was designed to be disposable; libraries should have an air of permanence. In short, it should look like a library. Maybe that’s part of the plan. I’ve called the library and asked for a copy of the consultant’s report.
The most unrealistic part of plan as it was reported in the paper is this: “If staffed more efficiently, library officials believe they can build a new North Peoria branch without adding employees.” All this means is they’re going to take staff from the downtown branch and move them to the North Peoria branch, meaning more work for each current staff person. I doubt the library is overstaffed at the moment; they’re always hopping when I’m in there, and I often have to wait in line at the reference desk. This “efficient staffing” will probably mean a longer wait time to talk to a librarian.
Now, I sound all negative here (hey, it sells papers, right?), but really, other than these two concerns, I’m actually excited about the prospect of the library getting a facelift. I’m a big fan of the Peoria Public Library and would like to see some money and new life pumped into it. Their research materials are excellent and they have a very helpful and knowlegeable staff. I’m looking forward to hearing more details about their expansion plans in the near future.
The overall $35 million plan to improve library system would be money well spent. Unlike the $65 million museum, the library system in this city supports scholarship [it is also cheaper], etc. Perhaps more collaboration between BU library, ICC and Peo Pub library… Proposed museum does not have anything in the way of a library or archives associated with it at all! Before anyone says it, I do not call a used book sales area a library.
The BU library could use the boost that an association with the Public library could give it – it’s not much of an academic library, really.
Haven’t you ever watched that show on HGTV where they renovate some tired old house into a lovely new home (the one where they always use the big excavator to “eat” the house, and hosted by that guy who does the crafty house show with the blonde lady).
Anyway, sure, the current K’s Merchandise building is lame. Ugly. Crummy. But taking the superstructure and doing a solid renovation at least gives them a large footprint. And having a library on all one level means it’s much easier to handicap equip.
And as I mentioned on Billy’s blog, turn that ocean of a freakin’ parking lot into a nice big park. Never can have to many parks, IMHO, no matter what you think of the folks running it.
Anyone else think the real reason for mentioning the K’s Merchandise location is that it will take tax money away from Dunlap School District instead of District 150 if they go elsewhere in the city? And no, I do not live in the Dunlap School District.
There’s nothing wrong with having a cheap to build and maintain building for a library. Wouldn’t that money be better spent on the materials and resources inside rather than a fancy building?
Exactly why do we need a pre-school at a library? Didn’t work for the bus station why do we need it for the library?
Wise and prudent ideas to seek public input and voter approval…
Just thinking here … there are tons of businessess on and around Pioneer Pkwy (having recently gotten stuck in some nasty traffic there at 5pm a few weeks back). Also, plenty of big businessess just north of PP on Allen Road. I’m betting all those businessess have plenty of working moms that would appreciate a pre-school at a library in that particular location.
Also, given the large number of workers in that area, whatcha wanna bet they would vote for a library in that area?
I live out there, and I’m all for a big ass library on PP. LIke I said before, and accidentaly didn’t take credit for, never can have too many parks, add libraries to that list.
CGISELLE12: The pre-school is supposedly to be on the Southside and since when is it the government’s function to provide school from pre-school at a library? Sounds like more of the same from Birth to Eight at the proposed school in the park.
I am all for more libraries and wise uses of money — it just troubling that any loan is usually paid back with interest so perhaps it is really $70 million instead of the $35 million being asked up front.
The real question would be why would they need a Pioneer Park and a Lakeview library that are 5-7 minutes apart? I assume the library would increase their tax rate to pay for this? How about having 2 total in the city? Both large enough to serve a large number of people at once? One downtown and one on the far North.
MDD — to answer your earlier question, I think civic buildings should be built to stand the test of time. It’s not like building a grocery store or an office building. If they’re going to build a library in North Peoria, presumably they plan on that building being there for 50-100 years. It should be built of sufficient quality to last that long at least, if not longer. And it should be beautiful, because the value we place on our institutions is reflected in their building architecture.
As for your second question, why not just have one huge library downtown and make everyone drive down there? It all has to do with putting libraries in areas that are convenient for people to patronize.
The Journal Star said: “The new layout has areas sketched out for a preschool, small career center and even a group study room.”
But if you look at this sketch, I think the Journal Star misinterpreted the drawing. The area labeled “pre-school” is clearly the area set aside for books written at a pre-school level. The library isn’t going to provide pre-school services. I’ll call the library and double-check that.
I am Ed Szynaka, Library Director for the Peoria Public Library.
This is a good blog. Some infomation that might prove helpful.
The Journal Star made an error making reference to a child care center. We have no plans for a child care center. We do envision a story hour room and a very graphically attractive youth area.
Also the K merchandise building was just mentioned as an example of a possibility.
The Library Board has not accepted any plan and in fact has set aside the next 70 days for discussion, public meetings and debate of the plan. Our website will start listing meeting, times and places. We encourage everyone to participate.
I will try to answer questions on this blog as time permits.
Thanks,
ed szynaka
Peoria Library Director