Lansing loves its libraries—loves them so much, in fact, that facilities, equipment and resources are sorely in need of expansion and updates to continue to serve the community. The Capital Area District Library system, with 13 branches including the Downtown Lansing library, has seen an increase in usage with demands for resources, technology and services continuing to grow with each passing year.

The annual report tells the story. In 2007, patrons borrowed well over two million items, close to a 5 percent increase over the previous year. That works out to more than ten items per capita and is in the upper quartile for similar libraries in the United States. Close to 100,000 hold library cards, up nearly 4 percent. The library’s total collection now contains close to 700,000 items; the shelves are full, and there is no room for growth. In 2007, almost two million people visited the libraries, many for reasons not related to circulation—to use a computer, attend a program or just sit and read newspapers, magazines or books. With 430,000 electronic users in 2007, CADL’s computers are now fully utilized; the only way to increase usage would be to add more computers. In 2007, library-sponsored programs were attended by 53,000 people; program rooms are full to capacity so programs often need to be conducted in the library proper.

The Capital Area District Library Board took all these facts into consideration—continued growth in circulation, community programs and computer usage at all 13 facilities—and looked to Penchansky Whisler Architectural Consultants for an answer. Based on their recommendations, garnered from sources including community leaders, library patrons, staff, the board, a library task force and a citizen advisory committee, the CADL board has unanimously approved a county-wide Capital Improvement Plan for expansion and updates to better serve the community.

The capital campaign is ambitious as well as necessary.  According to CADL Finance Director Pat Taylor, “The plan is for major improvements throughout the system including renovating or building new facilities for all 13 of our branches. New facilities will be built for the Downtown Lansing library, the Mason Library, the Williamston Library, the Holt-Delphi Library and the Hope Borbas Okemos Library. All other libraries will be expanded, renovated or a combination of both. We plan to put this measure before the voters in August, asking that the community support the plan and approve a millage of .96 mills to fund this initiative budgeted at 93.6 million dollars. Once the expenditures are approved, we will begin immediately with the renovations starting first. Currently, CADL doesn’t own any of the library buildings; they are either provided by the municipalities or leased. For the five libraries that will be new builds, we are asking that the municipalities provide the land, and the buildings would then be owned by CADL.

Not one of our libraries is large enough to meet the needs of library patrons. We need more space for books, new technology, meeting and study rooms. We need more computers and computer space. Since 2000, computer use at the library has more than tripled; we simply don’t have the space or the equipment that we need to support the demand.”

According to Library Director Sue Hill, “Investing in libraries is an investment in a community resource that provides access to lifelong learning and helps communities remain strong. Libraries today are more than books; they have movies, music, audio books and premium Internet content. They provide computer access for those who don’t have it at home as well as an array of learning activities for young and old. These expanded roles need a wide variety of spaces under one roof.”

To anyone who has used any one of the libraries in the system, the need for more space is apparent. For example, the Hope Borbas Okemos Library, heavily used and, according to Taylor, “enormously undersized,” has only 12,000 square feet of usable space. The report prepared by Penchansky Whisler Architectural Consultants recommends that a new library facility in Okemos have 41,000 square feet.

The downtown library building is 45 years old, is five stories and, said Taylor, “is not very user friendly.” Plans for the new building include 72,000 square feet of library space and 29,000 square feet for administrative and central service functions.

“All the libraries in our system are busy and successful, but the time has come to do more. The plans that have been developed will take the CADL system to the next level,” explained Taylor.

Detailed information on the project can be examined at www.cadl.org/about/capitalplan/cadl-plans-regional-expansion.html.

Libraries are many things to many people. They give us a place to learn and grow. They provide opportunities for introspection or for exploration of the larger world. Libraries offer education and entertainment. They expand our horizons and give us new ideas and attitudes. Books and music, movies and games, classes and discussions, help with our questions and silence for our thoughts—our libraries make the Greater Lansing area a better place to live, work and learn.